GVVT are collaborating with the Routemaster Association for an exciting new event with a distinctly cross-border flavour. ‘London Comes to Glasgow’ will celebrate the iconic Routemaster and all things London buses. The event will bring together Routemasters and other London buses from across the country and showcase their role in Glasgow’s transport story, particularly during the turbulent period following bus deregulation in October 1986, now approaching its 40th anniversary.
The event will take place over the weekend of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July 2026. The Saturday will involve a running event based on Glasgow city centre with the Sunday featuring an open day at Bridgeton Bus Garage with a free service. The aim on the Saturday is to create a number of route recreations involving Kelvin’s 5/5A (Old Kilpatrick to Easterhouse), Clydeside’s 11 (Arden/Carnwadric to Balornock East) and Magicbus 20 (City Cente to Castlemilk) with lots of opportunity to run on the buses in service and grab pictures along the routes. The following day, the focus turns to the garage with a spectacular line-up of visiting Routemasters and other London buses or buses with a significant London connection. All the usual Super Sunday activities will be there too: heritage displays in the Archive & Museum, stalls, open vehicles, bus simulator and more, all enhanced with a distinct London twist and supported by a free, frequent shuttle service into the city centre.
2026 will also mark the Routemaster’s 70th year in service, so the weekend will blend nostalgia with celebration, a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s most beloved buses, in a city that gave it a very different kind of second life.
Stay tuned on the GVVT and RMA websites and
socials for more news and announcements
