Metrobus

Metrobus is a brand name used by several public transit systems to designate a high-frequency, high-capacity bus service within a metropolitan area. The term combines the ideas of a metro-style network with bus operations, and it is typically applied to trunk routes intended to provide rapid, reliable connectivity across a city or region. Depending on the city, Metrobus services may run with limited stops, bus rapid transit features, or express itineraries that connect major centers and transit hubs.

Common characteristics include frequent daytime service, simplified fare structures, and integration with other modes of public transport such as rail or tram systems. Some Metrobus networks use dedicated lanes, priority signaling, and enhanced stations to reduce travel times. Modern fleets often include low-floor buses for accessibility and may incorporate electric, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles as part of sustainability programs.

The best-known example is WMATA's Metrobus network serving the Washington metropolitan area, including the District of Columbia and parts of Maryland and Virginia, where the branding accompanies a broader transit system that also includes Metrorail. The label Metrobus is used elsewhere to describe similar high-frequency or rapid-bus services, but actual implementations vary by jurisdiction in terms of routes, funding, and governance.

See also: Bus rapid transit, Public transit branding, Metro (transit).