 With a peak vehicle requirement of 60, the route is the most frequent in London, with a bus every minute during the morning peak

Route 38 was introduced on 16 June 1912 as a Monday to Saturday route between Victoria and Leyton Green via Angel, Dalston, Clapton and Lea Bridge Road and between Victoria and Epping Forest on Sundays.It was operated from Leyton garage, which opened on the same day.In 1913 a 38A was introduced, taking over the Sunday service and operating between Victoria and Epping Forest.