Transport for LondonLive bus arrivals
Skip to navigationWe've made it possible to get live bus arrival information online or by texting us your bus stop code. We have also replaced our bus arrival signs at bus stops with ones that take advantage of the latest technology.
Online and mobile
You can now check live bus arrival times online using a smartphone or desktop PC.
Just select your stop from the options given and you'll be presented with a list of bus arrival times.
Express web service
During times when the web service is experiencing extremely high usage, we will employ the Express web service site to ensure that we can continue to meet high levels of demand.
Bus arrival information provided by the Express web service remains accurate, but may display slightly differently than usual.
Text message
Send a text to 87287 with your bus stop code and you will receive a reply with real time bus arrival times for that stop. (For overseas networks use +44 7797 800 287.) The bus stop code is a black, five-digit number on a sign above the timetable. If you don't know the bus stop code, you can search online by route number, postcode, area or street name.
You can specify a bus route to see arrival times for just that route.
Texts cost the standard network rate, plus a 12p charge to receive the response. (Texts via overseas networks are charged at the network's standard roaming rate only, but are limited to five per day. Please see tfl.gov.uk/terms for more details.)
Download a list of all bus stop codes and locations (PDF 7.7MB)
Bus stop signs
Our Countdown signs provide real-time information (RTI) at 2,500 stops in London. New technology means improved readability for all our passengers. We're also looking at bus stop independent audio options to help blind and partially sighted people.
The roll out of the new signs at key locations across London was completed in June 2012.
View the full list of the completed bus arrival signs by Borough (PDF 509KB)
Noticed the Countdown sign has dissappeared from your stop?
London Buses are working hard to keep our shelters up to date and fully operational. To enable repair or upgrade shelter work to take place we have to temporarily remove the Countdown signs.
Depending on the complexity of the works required, it can take some time before we can reinstall your sign. Until then, why not use web, mobile web or SMS to get live bus arrival information.
Live bus arrival data feed
We are providing live bus arrival information as a syndicated data feed via our Developer's Area. This service enables application developers to subscribe to the data to develop apps, opening up a whole new world of live bus information for passengers.
Types of data available:
- Instant - provides a snapshot of live bus arrival information
- Stream - provides a continuous stream of information
Developers who apply for the instant feed can gain access automatically. However, developers who apply for the stream will need TfL approval, as this data is provided at a cost to TfL.
Could you create an innovative accessible app?
An Accessible App competition was recently launched, providing a great opportunity for developers to come up with an innovative app that makes a significant difference to the way disabled people travel in London.
We are asking developers to build on recent innovations in accessible travel applications, and to utilise the growing number of data sources with accessibility data information.
What's next for Countdown?
Countdown is coming to river buses
From March 2013, Countdown will provide live arrival information for the 13 London River Services' river buses via fixed Countdown signs located on each of the piers and text message. A live river bus arrival data feed will also be available for app developers.
Digital Signs
We are currently in the final stages of testing Digital Signs, which will provide external organisations with the opportunity to display RTI to the public in different environments away from bus stops using their own display media, such as plasma screens.
Digital Signs bring unique benefits, such as remote access to information before embarking on a journey and the ability to combine bus RTI with complimentary information, such as RTI for other transport modes, weather or local information.
Interested in a Digital Sign? Contact Digisign.countdown@tfl.gov.uk for further information.
Further information
If you have any questions, want further information on live bus arrival information or want to report a fault, please contact TfL Customer Services.
Download instructions for using the live bus / river bus arrival service (PDF 322KB)
