Past & Present: The Omnibus (colour litho)

The Omnibus. The First London Omnibus. Omnibuses were started in Paris in 1662, but were discontinued. In 1819 they were reintroduced, and proved so successful that Shillibeer, a well-known coachbuilder, introduced them in London, where they were sometimes known as "Shillibeers." In 1829 his first omnibus travelled from the Yorkshire Stingo at Paddington along what are now the Marylebone, Euston, and Pentonville Roads to the Bank, the fare for the journey being one shilling. Modern London Omnibus. During the present century great double-decked motor omnibuses have not only replaced the old horse buses for short journeys, but go as far afield as St Albans and Sidcup. Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards on the subject of Past & Present issued by Wills in 1929.