HistoryWhen London's public transport was brought together in
1933 under the control of the London Passenger Transport Board
(LPTB), bus services covered a vast area. At the time, they
served much of what is now Greater London, as well as areas in
many of the nearby counties. Within Greater London, the bus
network was supportd by tram and trolleybus systems. Trams were
withdrawn in 1952 and the trolleybuses a decade later. Buses
replaced both services. From 1970 to 1984, London Transport (LT)
came under the direct control of the Greater London Council. The
area for which LT was legally responsible was also reduced to
the present 1,580 sq km (610 sq miles). A few services in
outlying areas stayed to maintain well-established links. Under
the London Regional Transport Act 1984, LT was again brought
under central government control. The Act required LT to set up
subsidiary companies to run both buses and the Underground. The
Act also called for competitive tendering to be introduced. This
was to make sure LT ope