London bus 26 originated in 1948 running between Lambourne End and Ilford. It ceased operating on that route in 1958, and the following year started running between Aldgate and Leyton, continuing on this route until 1966. In 1970 the bus route started its third incarnation, running as a service between New Barnet and Golders Green. It had its route modified during the 1970s and 1980s, e.g. being extended to Brent Cross Shopping Centre after it opened in 1976, but was finally withdrawn from that route in 1991.
On 18 July 1992, route 26 was introduced to replace the withdrawn section of route 6 between Hackney Wick and Aldwych, running between Hackney Wick and Waterloo station, from Bow garage using Leyland Titans.[1] The route was converted to low floor in 1999. In April 2001, the allocation was transferred to Stratford garage, and again in February 2008 to West Ham. The route has stayed the same since 1992, apart from minor reroutings in Shoreditch in 2002 and in Hackney in 2008.
On 22 June 2013, route 26 was included in the sale of First London's Lea Interchange garage to Tower Transit.[3][4] When next tendered, it was awarded to CT Plus with the new contract to commence on 25 June 2016.[5][6]
On 21 July 2005, would-be bomber Muktar Said Ibrahim attempted to explode a device contained in his rucksack on a number 26 bus on Hackney Road near Shoreditch. A small explosion on the top deck caused the vehicle's windows to explode, but the device did not detonate as intended and there was no significant damage. The vehicle, operated by Stagecoach London, was stopped and a 200-yard safety cordon established while the bomb was defused.[7][8]
Ibrahim left the bus following the failed attack, but was later caught. He and five other men were taken to court in January 2007, and his DNA was found on a battery used in the bomb.[9] He was convicted in July 2007 and sentenced to life imprisonment.[10]
Current route
Route 26 operates via these primary locations:[11]
Media related to London Buses route 26 at Wikimedia Commons
