The London’s ‘ghost bus’ that only has one stop

Sometimes you’ll be waiting for a bus and two will arrive at the same time, but this will happen never to anyone wanting to ride a unique route in London.

Every Wednesday morning at 11.17am the bus leaves West Ealing Station and makes its way to West Ruislip.

It does not stop anywhere on the way and is nicknamed the “ghost bus” because it often runs without any passengers on board.

And it only runs once a week so if you miss it you’ll have a long wait for another one.

The service started last year as a replacement to the ‘ghost train’ which, rather than being a scary fairground ride, was the Chiltern Railways’ parliamentary train.

All rail operators are obliged to run a parliamentary train service due to a rule which dates back to the Railway Regulation Act of 1844.

This states that companies have to provide an affordable minimum service for working people.

Passengers on the service will find a lot of space to stretch out as the double-decker has 62 seats, space for a wheelchair user, and room for 29 people to stand.

Transport enthusiasts who have the journey on their bucket list will enjoy the trip through west London, which takes approximately 25 minutes and goes past RAF Northolt.

Speaking to the BBC, bus and train blogger Roger French said: “People would probably think this is totally bizarre and what a waste of money.

“But actually, running the bus is a hell of a lot cheaper than running the train … because this bus is being run by Metroline in between other work that it does at the peaks, it’s not really costing a bus at all and the driver is one who also works in the office so it’s not really costing a person either.

“It’s being done at what we would call the margin.

“It would take months if not years to close a route and I suspect that will never happen.”

“It’s Britain’s most bizarre railway replacement service because nobody other than people like myself – people interested in buses and trains – would catch it.

“It needs sorting, really.”

Tickets for the service need to be purchased before boarding the bus and cost £7.40 online.

Secret London reports that anyone wanting to go at another time, or wanting a cheaper journey, can get on the E7 bus for £1.75 with an Oyster or contactless card.

The ‘ghost bus’ departs from the Argyle Road bus stop at West Ealing Station.