Thames Water-Bus Service Opens - 'Floating bus' the "Oganic" the first water-bus on the new Thames service, starts on it's river trip with a passenger load. London's Tower Bridge is in background. London's new experimental Thames water-bus service was opened during a ceremony which took place at the Charing Cross Pier film star Patricia Roc was present, and received the first ticket issued on this new service. Londoners will be able to travel from Putney to Greenwich for the nominal cost of 2/3d calling at several other piere on the journey up river. July 27, 1948. (Photo by Reuterphoto).