[2][3][4] On 15 August 1981 it was converted from AEC Routemaster to MCW Metrobus operation.

In 2000, the route was identified as one of the most popular in London, with approximately 5.5 million passengers using the service that year.

[6] It replaced a portion of route N22, which was shortened to end at Fulwell.

[8][9][10] Route 281 operates via these main locations:[11] In July 2005, shortly after the 7 July 2005 London bombings, the route was the subject of a hoax bomb threat.

[12] Media related to London Buses route 281 at Wikimedia Commons