Речной автобус Uber Boat в Лондоне: уникальный маршрут по Темзе без пробок

Forget traffic jams—London's most unusual bus service carries passengers straight through the capital without touching a single road. The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Bus transports people along the River Thames, creating a public transport route through the centre of London. Avoiding the usual city traffic, this service uses piers instead of bus stops and offers a unique, congestion-free journey past some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Where does the Uber Boat go? The River Bus network spans from Putney in the west to Barking Riverside in the east, covering 24 piers. This includes stops at Battersea Power Station, Westminster, Embankment, Bankside, London Bridge, Tower, Canary Wharf, Greenwich, North Greenwich, Royal Wharf, and Woolwich. The service runs from early morning until late at night, seven days a week, making it a practical commuting option for Londoners. It provides an alternative to the Tube, train, or traditional bus routes, with journeys divided into west, central, and east zones. Tickets must cover each zone travelled through. Is it public transport? While the experience may feel like a sightseeing cruise, the boats serve a practical purpose for commuters and are classified as a River Bus by Transport for London (TfL). However, the service is operated by Thames Clippers, not TfL. Passengers can use contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go cards, mirroring the process used on other London transport. However, River Bus journeys do not contribute to the daily or weekly Oyster/contactless fare cap. Travelcard holders, though, receive a third off River Bus fares. Tickets can also be purchased online and through the Uber and Thames Clippers Tickets apps. Commuting on the Uber Boat The timetable caters to both tourists and daily commuters. Read more - KFC is opening a pop-up wine bar in Shoreditch - with a chicken surprise - Why people are queuing for up to an hour outside this London restaurant - Major Piccadilly line closure returns next week - here's what you need to know Westbound services, for example, begin departing Barking Riverside at 6.10am on weekdays, while eastbound RB6 services leave Putney at 6.30am. A dedicated RB4 service operates between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf, taking just a few minutes. For those heading to The O2, the service from North Greenwich pier provides a convenient alternative. On selected event nights, special post-show services are also available. What’s the onboard experience? Unlike a regular London bus journey, passengers on the River Bus enjoy a constantly changing view of the capital. Depending on the route, boats sail past landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, and Greenwich. The boats also feature café bars, and passengers can bring luggage on board without an extra charge. Most of the fleet has accessible toilets, and bicycles can be transported at no additional cost. Most boats and piers are accessible, although there are exceptions at Cadogan, London Bridge City, and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter piers. An unusual bus route For tourists, the River Bus offers a chance to see many of London's landmarks without booking a traditional sightseeing cruise. But for commuters and Londoners, it provides a unique alternative for daily travel. A commuter travelling between Greenwich and central London, for example, can swap an Underground or rail journey for a scenic trip along the Thames. Residents further east can travel from Woolwich and Barking Riverside towards Canary Wharf and the centre of the capital. While traditional London buses often face congestion, traffic lights, and roadworks, the River Bus has its own unique challenge. Services to Woolwich and Barking Riverside can sometimes be disrupted when the Thames Barrier closes. In essence, the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Bus offers perhaps the most unusual bus journey in London—where the road is replaced entirely by the River Thames.