The Bus - London South is a vehicle simulation expansion that brings authentic bus driving to the streets of the British capital. Players take control of London buses on real Transport for London routes, navigating left-hand traffic through a detailed recreation of South and Central London.
Gameplay
Core gameplay centers on operating buses along scheduled routes while managing passenger boarding, ticket sales, and adherence to timetables. Drivers must handle doors, navigate dense urban traffic, and respond to junctions and signals in a realistic manner. The London South content introduces British left-hand driving, which alters lane positioning, roundabout navigation, and overall handling compared to right-hand traffic environments. The road network spans more than 10 miles across areas such as Westminster, Lambeth, Brixton, and Vauxhall, with major landmarks including the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Bridge, and Marble Arch appearing along the way. More than 200 individually modeled buildings and over 300 custom street objects recreate the city's distinctive architecture and street furniture, from bus shelters to road signs.
Three authentically recreated depots at Norwood, Stockwell, and Waterloo serve as starting points for shifts, integrated directly into the road network. Players begin duties from these locations before heading out onto the routes. The map includes fully driveable sections of routes 2 and 507 at launch, with partial recreations of routes 77, 88, 148, 196, and the night route N2 available for additional variety. Route 2 covers approximately 7.5 miles from Marylebone to West Norwood, passing through Marble Arch, Hyde Park, Victoria Station, and Brixton. The shorter former route 507 connects Waterloo and Victoria over 2.3 miles in the city center.
Game Modes
Freeplay allows quick selection of routes, buses, time of day, and weather conditions for straightforward driving sessions without management elements. Economy mode adds company-building mechanics, where players manage finances, expand operations, and develop their own bus service using a dedicated fictional depot in London. Multiplayer supports cooperative driving on the shared map for those seeking online interaction with other players. These modes provide different levels of depth, from relaxed route running to full operational oversight.
Routes and London Details
The interconnected network emphasizes variety through a mix of central landmarks, residential streets, shopping areas, and major transport hubs such as London Marylebone, London Victoria, and London Waterloo. Authentic left-hand traffic creates a distinct driving feel, with busy junctions and densely built streets adding challenge and realism. Separate standalone London buses are planned to accompany the content at release, with further details to follow. Post-launch free updates are scheduled to expand the London South area over time.
Is It Worth Playing?
This expansion suits players interested in detailed bus simulation and realistic urban driving. The combination of precise route recreation, landmark accuracy, and multiple modes supports both casual sessions and longer management-focused playthroughs. Those who enjoy methodical driving, schedule adherence, and exploring a faithfully rendered city environment will find substantial content in the initial routes and depots, with ongoing updates adding more over time. The left-hand traffic and London-specific details provide a fresh experience within the simulation genre.
