Number 28 bus waits on Station Terrace

Image: © Oxyman Taken: 18 Jun 2007

The history of today's 28 goes back to 2 August 1911, when a daily motor-bus route 28 was introduced between Wandsworth Bridge and West Hampstead (West End Green) replacing Horse Bus routes 48 (Fulham Road (Redcliffe Arms) - West Hampstead) and 49 (Brondesbury - Walham Green). By 1950, the 28 was operating between Golders Green Station and Kingston Vale via Wandsworth Plain. In 1988 the 28, along with the 31 were converted to minibus operation. Unfortunately, the introduction of 28-seaters led to severe overcrowding and poor reliability. Dennis Darts introduced in 1991 were more comfortable but did little to improve space for passengers, and the 1999 two-exit Darts, with seating capacity as low as 22, fared no better despite being larger on the outside. An additional route 328 was set up to relieve the overlapping sections of the 28 and 31 between Kensington and Kilburn. Finally in May 2004 the route returned to double-decker operation with Eclipse Gemini-bodied Volvos, with some additional Tridents spare from other routes. On 11 February 2006 the 28 was extended from Harrow Road to Kensal Rise.

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