George Shilibeer gave London its first regular bus service. His "Omnibus" took up service on 4 July 1829 on the route between Paddington (The Yorkshire Stingo) and "Bank" (Bank of England) via the "New Road" (now Marylebone Road), Somers Town and City Road.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary, a dozen Routemasters, numbered between 2130 and 2208, were painted in the original Shilibeer colours which many regard as the most attractive livery worn by this class. Each bus was sponsored by advertisers and moved garages every three months.
The front advert on this bus is by North Thames Gas, a state-owned utility providing gas for light and heat to industries and homes. The Board was established on 1 May 1949, and dissolved in 1973 when it became a region of the British Gas Corporation.