Omnibus

An omnibus in 19th-century London

The omnibus was a predecessor to the modern bus, widely used in Europe during the 19th century.

History

In 1868, London saw the rise of two notable omnibus companies: the Millner Company, set up by Malcolm Millner, and Attaway Transport, headed by Pearl Attaway. These caught the attention of the British Assassin Jacob Frye as he sought to bring down Templar influence in the city. The Grand Master of the Templar Order at the time, Crawford Starrick, was using the Millner Company to limit its competitor, Attaway Transport, and establish a monopoly on the transport industry in the city.

Jacob's interference led to the demise of both companies, as well as their owners. His sister, Evie, later came to the rescue of Edward Bayley, a businessman, politician, and omnibus manufacturer, who was being harassed by members of the Templar-affiliated gang, the Blighters. Evie helped Bayley acquire the deed to Attaway's former omnibus factory, whereupon he introduced her to the founding members of the London General Omnibus Company, promising to provide proper public transport.

Design

The omnibus served as a predecessor to the modern red buses widely used in London. During the mid-19th century, most omnibuses were double-decker wagons pulled by two horses, with the driver sitting on the top deck. Certain vehicles showed different advertisements on the flanks and rear, while the back of the bus had a leather for passengers to climb to the top deck and a rear door to enter the lower deck.

Trivia

• The omnibus took its name from the sign of the hatter in front of whose shop the first ones stopped in Nantes, France, in 1823. The sign read "Omnes Omnibus", a play on the hatter's name, Omnés. In Latin, the word omnes means 'all', and as such omnibus roughly translates to 'for all'.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate