As the Londoner may have observed, a pair of horses only goes one journey, and as the omnibus generally does four journeys, each conveyance, with its rest horses, requires ten animals. The three-horse ’buses require thirteen each. [1868, “The Omnibus System in London, Past and Present”, in Cassell’s Magazine, page 439, column 2:]
We think we get a kind of vague apprehension of what London means from the top of a ’bus better than anywhere else, and this vague apprehension is as much as the thoughtful or imaginative observer will ever arrive at in a lifetime. [1900, Kate Douglas Wiggin, “Tuppenny Travels in London”, in Penelope’s English Experiences, Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, part first (In Town), page 48:]
There are some hansons, no ’busses. [1901 July 19, T. K. Murray, “To Australia and Back”, in The Agricultural Journal and Mining Record, volume IV, number 10, The Times Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, published 1902, section “Melbourne”, page 299:]
One day I was riding on top of a ’bus in London with my friend Casey. [1906, “Casey in London”, in F[rancis] J. Cahill, compiler, A Bunch of Yarns and Rare Bits of Humor: […], New York, N.Y.; New Orleans, La.: Carey-Stafford Company, page 23:]
If you can’t afford cabs you should take the ’bus. [1912, Barry Pain, “Mrs. Murphy”, in Pearson’s Magazine, page 184:]
One misty day I was riding on top of a ’bus, and when the conductorette came to get my fare, she leaned over the seat in front of mine, and kissed the wounded soldier who was sitting there. [1919, Charles Hanson Towne, “When London Was in Darkness”, in Shaking Hands with England, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, pages 41–42:]