A Guide to Different Types of Buses

A bus is one of the essential parts of the transportation system, carrying many passengers and transporting them from one place to another. There are many different types of buses in the world. In this article, 5-Minute Crafts rounded up the most common types of buses used worldwide.

1. Single decker bus

One of the standard passenger buses is a single deck (one floor), which can carry about 30 people. A full-size has a capacity of 60 to 120 passengers. It ranges from 16 feet to 39 feet (4.8 meters to 11.8 meters) in length. They run on diesel fuel or natural gas. Some have their gates in the middle and back, while others only have doors at the front.

2. Double-decker bus

Double-decker buses have 2 stories (floors) connected with a staircase from the inside to access the upper level. They’re commonly used for mass commuter transport with a capacity of nearly 70 people. Open-roof or open-top versions are primarily used for sightseeing in tourism. Some open-top models come with half a roof at the front, while others may not have a roof at all.

3. Articulated (accordion) buses

Articulated (accordion) buses come with a joint that connects 2 sections of the same bus. They’re also called bendy, as they can bend in the middle and run through small streets. They can be up to 66 feet (20 meters) in length and carry up to 270 passengers. The bi-articulated or double articulated bus is a more extended version of this type.

4. School bus

In many countries, school buses are used to take the students to schools or universities. The color of the school buses may be different in other parts of the world, but they’re yellow in the US and come with mandatory safety features, such as flashing lights and extended stop arms.

5. Minibus

A minibus is smaller than a regular bus. It looks like a van with more passenger capacity than a van. Although they carry about 8 to 25 people, a large one can seat up to 38 passengers.

6. Electric bus

Electric buses aren’t new; the first model was produced in 1970. Their numbers are increasing more and more. They’re zero-emission and use renewable energy.

7. Shuttle bus

A shuttle bus transfers the passengers between locations, such as hotels and airports, without many stops. They come with distinctive features, such as luggage storage, bus passenger seats, a bus-style door, and wheelchair accessibility.

8. Transit bus

Depending on the passengers’ routes, transit buses come in various types, such as single-deck, articulated, and double-decker buses. They come with a low-floor deck making them elderly-friendly. The ones with a high floor deck have steps at the entrance, making it disabled-friendly thanks to the wheelchair lift.

9. Trolleybus

A trolleybus is a bus connected to some cables from the top. It gets its energy from the electric cables or wires, not petroleum fuel. Although they are like electric buses, they don’t require a large battery or recharging. They have lower emissions than diesel or natural gas-powered buses.