Do you know why some buses have white roofs?

Virgin Radio

15 Nov 2022, 09:23

Have you ever noticed that buses sometimes have white roofs? And, if so, have you stopped to wonder why? Well, the reason has been revealed.

When you think of London buses, you see them as all red, right? The classic red London bus. Well, some actually have white panels on top, and have done for almost 20 years.

Whilst red buses with a white top were added to the capital city’s fleet by Transport for London back in 2004, many people have only just noticed them.

But what is the purpose of the white roofs? Well, simply, they cause the sun’s rays to reflect off the buses and therefore keep them from overheating during the warmer summer months. 

They also help to fight climate change, as the bus doesn't need to power air-con onboard. Lower fuel usage, of course, means lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Upon discovering, firstly, that buses and white roofs and, secondly, the reason for it, people on social media were surprised. As reported by The Sun, one person wrote: "Wow I can't believe I didn't realise, I mean surely they haven't been white this whole time. I feel silly."

Another person said: "This has blown my mind.” 

One person previously wrote on Reddit that, whilst they were aware of the colour of the roofs, they thought it was for a different reason: “I always assumed it's so if something happens the police / helicopters can easily read the serial numbers on the top,” they admitted.

It turns out that the white-topped London buses are, in fact, no longer being produced. Newer models use sunroofs to keep the temperature down, while Trambuses are also made with climate in mind. They can be electrically charged en-route, and don't use any fuel. As reported by MyLondon, they also have temperature-reactive blue and red mood lighting.

In other transport news, people have recently been baffled why the world's longest flight doesn't travel in a straight line.