autobus

An autobus is a motor vehicle designed to carry a large number of passengers on roads. The term is used in many languages to refer to passenger buses, including urban, intercity, and touring coaches. In English, the word bus derives from omnibus; in other languages, autobus or autobús remains common, reflecting the vehicle’s role as a public transport or private hire option.

Autobuses are built on rigid frames or unibody shells and are powered by internal combustion engines, typically diesel. They can be rear-, mid-, or front-engined and may use manual or automatic transmissions. Common configurations include standard city buses (roughly 8–12 meters long), articulated buses (about 18 meters), and double-decker or long-distance coaches. Seating and standing capacity vary with design.

They serve urban transit, suburban routes, intercity services, and charter operations. Operations rely on fixed routes with timetables, fare collection systems, and schedule coordination. Modern buses emphasize accessibility through low-floor designs, wheelchair ramps or lifts, and kneeling suspensions to aid boarding.

Environment and technology have driven changes in bus design, with a shift toward low-emission propulsion. Propulsion options include diesel with particulate filters, compressed natural gas, hybrid propulsion, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cells. Cities often support bus rapid transit, dedicated lanes, and charging infrastructure to improve reliability and reduce pollution.