Busses

Busses (also spelled buses) are road vehicles designed to transport many passengers along fixed routes or on demand. They are larger than private cars and form a core part of urban and suburban public transit networks. Busses can be single-deck or double-deck and come in a range of lengths, with typical urban models accommodating dozens of passengers through seating and standing room.

Types include city buses with frequent stops and fixed routes, intercity coaches optimized for longer distances and comfort, trolleybuses powered by overhead wires, school buses used to transport students, and smaller minibuses or midibuses for limited-service needs. Double-decker busses are common in some regions to increase capacity without extending vehicle length.

Propulsion and technology: Diesel engines remain common, but there is growing use of hybrid, battery-electric, fuel-cell, and natural gas propulsion. Modern busses may feature low-floor designs for accessibility, air suspension, regenerative braking, and advanced driver-assistance systems. Many cities employ bus rapid transit systems with dedicated lanes, off-board fare collection, and priority signaling to improve efficiency.

History and operations: The concept began with horse-drawn omnibuses in the 19th century and evolved to motor buses in the early 20th century. Today, busses are operated by municipal transit authorities, regional agencies, or private companies under contracts. Supporting infrastructure includes bus stops, depots, and sometimes dedicated lanes. Fares are typically collected at stops or on board and may be paid with cash, smart cards, or mobile applications.