The Number 400 Route - not

Well, I have to admit to puzzlement.  The excellent website which lists London bus routes  just includes 400, as if there were no question: it runs from East Grinstead to Caterham-on-the-Hill and here it is; but it's not on the TfL lists or on the maps, not even under that arcane 'other bus routes' section. So we believe it is not 'one of ours'.  The equally obsessive eplates website seems to suggest that it ran around Slough.

So we are just going to say that we shall not be travelling any 400, which is a shame, since you could call the number something of a milestone.

In fact, as we move through the 400s, we shall find that there are many non-existent routes, or unused numbers, whichever way you want to look at it.  The Rules Committee, in an extraordinary meeting - well, exchange of emails, actually - has resolved that consecutive non-existent routes may be lumped together for blogging purposes, otherwise we might run out of things to say when we have not travelled.

I thought I would use this post to remind people that the TfL bus maps are FREE, as well as being wonderful.  You can pick them up at the London Transport desk at any major railway station, as well as some minor ones, and many bus stations. And - here's a paper saving tip - don't bother with the Central London one, as the other 4 all have Central London on their reverse sides.  When I see tourists, or newcomers, trying to follow their bus journeys on the free tube map they give you with your Oyster, I weep.  Indeed, I have on occasion gone further than that and given them my map (but only if I know I shall be passing an outlet very soon) I know they are all available on line, but the real thing comes in handy for the few of us left without smart phones, and may also be used for fanning on hot buses, and wasp control.