Editing Bus (section)

==Uses==
===Public transport===
{{Main|Public transport bus service}}
[[File:Pune green bus.jpg|thumb|A [[PMPML]] CNG-led Tata Marcopolo bus in [[Pune]], [[India]] (2024)]]

[[Transit bus]]es, used on [[public transport bus service]]s, have utilitarian fittings designed for efficient movement of large numbers of people, and often have multiple doors. Coaches are used for longer-distance routes. High-capacity [[bus rapid transit]] services may use the bi-articulated bus or tram-style buses such as the [[Wright StreetCar]] and the [[Iveco Bus|Irisbus]] Civis.

Buses and coach services often operate to a predetermined published [[public transport timetable]] defining the route and the timing, but smaller vehicles may be used on more flexible [[demand responsive transport]] services.

===Tourism===
[[File:Foxity à Louvre-Rivoli par Cramos (cropped).JPG|thumb|right|Tour bus being used in France (2015)]]

Buses play a major part in the tourism industry. [[Tour bus]]es around the world allow tourists to view local attractions or scenery. These are often [[open-top bus]]es, but can also be regular buses or coaches.

In local [[sightseeing]], [[City Sightseeing]] is the largest operator of local tour buses, operating on a franchised basis all over the world. Specialist tour buses are also often owned and operated by [[safari park]]s and other [[Amusement park|theme parks or resorts]]. Longer-distance tours are also carried out by bus, either on a turn up and go basis or through a [[tour operator]], and usually allow disembarkation from the bus to allow touring of sites of interest on foot. These may be day trips or longer [[excursion]]s incorporating hotel stays. Tour buses often carry a tour guide, although the driver or a recorded [[audio commentary]] may also perform this function. The tour operator may be a subsidiary of a company that operates buses and coaches for other uses or an independent company that charters buses or coaches. [[Commuter]] transport operators may also use their coaches to conduct tours within the target city between the morning and evening commuter transport journey.

Buses and coaches are also a common component of the wider [[package holiday]] industry, providing private airport transfers (in addition to general [[airport bus]]es) and organised tours and day trips for holidaymakers on the package.

Tour buses can also be hired as chartered buses by groups for sightseeing at popular holiday destinations. These private tour buses may offer specific stops, such as all the historical sights, or allow the customers to choose their own itineraries. Tour buses come with professional and informed staff and insurance, and maintain state governed safety standards. Some provide other facilities like entertainment units{{clarify|date=May 2019}}, luxurious reclining seats, large scenic windows, and even lavatories.

Public long-distance coach networks are also often used as a low-cost method of travel by students or young people travelling the world. Some companies such as [[Topdeck Travel]] were set up specifically to use buses to drive the [[hippie trail]] or travel to places such as North Africa.

In many tourist or travel destinations, a bus is part of the [[tourist attraction]], such as the North American [[tourist trolley]]s, London's [[AEC Routemaster]] [[London Buses heritage routes (disambiguation)|heritage route]]s, or the [[customised buses]] of Malta, Asia, and the Americas. Another example of tourist stops is the homes of [[celebrities]], such as tours based near [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]]. There are several such services between 6000 and 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

===Student transport===
{{Main|Student transport}}
[[File:HCS bus49.JPG|thumb|US [[school bus]] (2007 [[IC Bus|IC]] CE)]]In some countries, particularly the US and Canada, buses used to transport schoolchildren have evolved into a specific design with specified mandatory features. American states have also adopted laws regarding motorist conduct around school buses, including large fines and possibly prison for passing a stopped school bus in the process of loading or offloading children passengers. These [[school bus]]es may have [[school bus yellow]] livery and [[School bus crossing arm|crossing guards]]. Other countries may mandate the use of [[seat belts]]. As a minimum, many countries require a bus carrying students to display a [[:Commons:Category:School bus signs|sign]], and may also adopt yellow liveries. Student transport often uses older buses cascaded from service use, retrofitted with more seats or seatbelts. Student transport may be operated by local authorities or private contractors. Schools may also own and operate their own buses for other transport needs, such as class [[field trip]]s or transport to associated sports, music, or other school events.

===Private charter===
Due to the costs involved in owning, operating, and driving buses and coaches, much bus and coach use comes from the private hire of vehicles from charter bus companies, either for a day or two or on a longer contract basis, where the charter company provides the vehicles and qualified drivers.

[[File:BCI bodied Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF BusWest 01.jpg|thumb|right|An example of a private bus operating for BusWest in [[Perth]] (2018)]]

Charter bus operators may be completely independent businesses, or charter hire may be a subsidiary business of a public transport operator that might maintain a separate fleet or use surplus buses, coaches, and dual-purpose coach-seated buses. Many private [[taxicab]] companies also operate larger [[minibus]] vehicles to cater for group fares. Companies, private groups, and social clubs may hire buses or coaches as a cost-effective method of transporting a group to an event or site, such as a group meeting, [[racing]] event, or organised recreational activity such as a [[summer camp]]. Schools often hire charter bus services on a regular basis for transportation of children to and from their homes. Chartered buses are also used by education institutes for transport to [[convention (meeting)|convention]]s, exhibitions, and [[field trips]]. Entertainment or event companies may also hire temporary shuttles buses for transport at events such as festivals or [[academic conference|conference]]s. [[Party bus]]es are used by companies in a similar manner to [[limousine]] hire, for luxury private transport to social events or as a touring experience. [[Sleeper bus]]es are used by bands or other organisations that tour between entertainment venues and require mobile rest and recreation facilities. Some couples hire preserved buses for their wedding transport, instead of the traditional car. Buses are often hired for [[parade]]s or [[procession]]s. [[Victory parade]]s are often held for triumphant sports teams, who often tour their home town or city in an [[open-top bus]]. Sports teams may also contract out their transport to a team bus, for travel to [[Road (sports)|away games]], to a [[Sports competition|competition]] or to a [[Final (competition)|final event]]. These buses are often specially decorated in a livery matching the team colours. Private companies often contract out private shuttle bus services, for transport of their customers or patrons, such as hotels, [[amusement park]]s, [[university campus]]es, or [[airport bus|private airport transfer]] services. This shuttle usage can be as transport between locations, or to and from [[parking lot]]s. High specification luxury coaches are often chartered by companies for [[Executive officer|executive]] or [[Very Important Person|VIP]] transport. Charter buses may also be used in tourism and for promotion (See Tourism and Promotion sections).

===Private ownership===
[[File:Taipei Taiwan Police-bus-01.jpg|thumb|right|Police bus in Taipei, Taiwan (2014)]]

Many organisations, including the police, [[not for profit]], social or charitable groups with a regular need for group transport may find it practical or cost-effective to own and operate a bus for their own needs. These are often [[minibus]]es for practical, tax and driver licensing reasons, although they can also be full-size buses. [[Cadet]] or [[Scouting|scout]] groups or other youth organizations may also own buses. Companies such as railroads, construction contractors, and agricultural firms may own buses to transport employees to and from remote job sites. Specific charities may exist to fund and operate bus transport, usually using specially modified mobility buses or otherwise accessible buses (See Accessibility section). Some use their contributions to buy vehicles and provide volunteer drivers.

Airport operators make use of special airside [[airport bus]]es for crew and passenger transport in the secure [[Airside (airport)|airside]] parts of an airport. Some public authorities, police forces, and military forces make use of [[armoured bus]]es where there is a special need to provide increased passenger protection. The [[United States Secret Service]] acquired two in 2010 for transporting dignitaries needing special protection.<ref>{{cite web |author=Robert Farley |title=Obama's Canadian-American Bus |url=http://www.factcheck.org/2011/08/obamas-canadian-american-bus/ |work=FactCheck |date=25 August 2011 |access-date=17 October 2011 |archive-date=25 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525173421/http://www.factcheck.org/2011/08/obamas-canadian-american-bus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Police department]]s make use of [[police bus]]es for a variety of reasons, such as [[Prisoner transport vehicle|prisoner transport]], [[police officer|officer]] transport, temporary detention facilities, and as [[command post|command and control vehicles]]. Some [[fire department]]s also use a converted bus as a command post<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cityofchesapeake.net/services/depart/fire/bus.shtml |title=Chesapeake Fire Department |publisher=Cityofchesapeake.net |date=1 May 1998 |access-date=12 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121035613/http://cityofchesapeake.net/services/depart/fire/bus.shtml |archive-date=21 November 2010}}</ref> while those in cold climates might retain a bus as a heated shelter at fire scenes.<ref>{{cite web |author=City of Winnipeg Corporate Web Services |url=http://www.winnipeg.ca/fps/Services/Operations/MIRV.stm |title=Winnipeg Fire Department |publisher=Winnipeg.ca |access-date=12 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106020819/http://www.winnipeg.ca/fps/Services/Operations/MIRV.stm |archive-date=6 January 2010}}</ref> Many are drawn from retired school or service buses.

===Promotion===
{{main|Bus advertising}}[[File:AVBWU237 641(KMB) 14-09-2018.jpg|thumb|Advertisement on a bus in Hong Kong (2018)]]Buses are often used for advertising, [[political campaign]]ing, [[:Category:Public service announcements|public information campaigns]], [[public relation]]s, or [[Promotion (marketing)|promotional]] purposes. These may take the form of temporary charter hire of service buses, or the temporary or permanent conversion and operation of buses, usually of [[Used good|second-hand]] buses. Extreme examples include converting the bus with displays and decorations or [[awning]]s and fittings. Interiors may be fitted out for exhibition or information purposes with special equipment or [[audio visual]] devices.

Bus advertising takes many forms, often as interior and exterior adverts and all-over advertising liveries. The practice often extends into the exclusive private hire and use of a bus to promote a brand or product, appearing at large public events, or touring busy streets. The bus is sometimes staffed by promotions personnel, giving out free gifts. [[Campaign bus]]es are often specially decorated for a [[political campaign]] or other social awareness information campaign, designed to bring a specific message to different areas, or used to transport campaign personnel to local areas/meetings. Exhibition buses are often sent to public events such as [[fair]]s and festivals for purposes such as recruitment campaigns, for example by private companies or the [[armed force]]s. Complex [[urban planning]] proposals may be organised into a mobile exhibition bus for the purposes of public consultation.

===Goods transport===
{{Main|Bruck (vehicle)}}
[[File:Mercedes-Benz LPO 322.jpg|thumb|A 1965 Mercedes-Benz LPO 322 Bruck in [[Karlskrona]], Sweden (2005)]]
In some sparsely populated areas, it is common to use brucks, buses with a cargo area to transport both passengers and cargo at the same time. They are especially common in the [[Nordic countries]].