People on a catastrophic commute during the Tube strike ended up being treated with a trip down memory lane on green Routemaster buses.

The industrial action on Wednesday and Thursday last week caused misery for millions, but some people had the consolation of riding in the old-fashioned Omnibuses, complete with open stairs at the back and a chirpy conductor calling out the stops.

The historic buses are the property of The London Bus Company and Ensignbus classic bus hires.

They were called in by Transport for London (TfL) to help cope with increased passenger numbers on the 29 and 38 routes, among others across London.

Typically the reserve of wedding parties, the vintage vehicles had their busiest day of the year.

One passenger said: “The 29 bus I was on changed destination outside Holloway Prison and everyone was kicked off.

“I was livid as I had already spent two hours getting to work by that time – a lot of other people were angry too.

“But when this green saviour appeared up the road, calling for people to get on, it brought a smile to all our faces.”