Buses
Table of Contents
Introduction
Less Traffic
"... every full bus means 50 fewer cars on the road." - https://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/bus-train-ferry-tram/busways
Bike Racks
Bike racks at public transport stations, bus stops, and on buses themselves give riders much more freedom to leave their bikes or bring them along for extended journeys.
Bike Racks on Buses
These are becoming more common, particularly on newer bus models. They allow riders or drivers to clip one or more bikes to the front of the bus (reducing the chance of theft), which helps riders continue their bike ride at their destination even if there are no bike shares nearby.
Bike Racks at Stops & Stations
Providing proper bike racks in public locations, particularly with lighting and cameras helps reduce crime, and increase bus ridership.
Bike Share Programs
These are stations where riders can rent out a public bike for a specified amount of time. Having these near bus stops and stations gives riders a safe, clean, and cheap mode of transportation
Busways
"Busways are dedicated roadways that separate buses from general traffic."
- https://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/bus-train-ferry-tram/busways
Busways can make public transport more appealing and therefor more successful as they separate buses from traffic congestion and slowdowns.
When buses are trapped in traffic, they may be less effective at curbing pollution, and lose many of their benefits over private car ownership.
Information for Community Planners
Investment Strategies
Investing in more buses for disadvantaged areas creates significant value compared to bigger projects like building new freeways which help people travel further away instead of spending money locally. As few as six riders per trip can recoup project costs by providing massive social and income benefits for users thanks to improved employment rates, social inclusion, not to mention access to resources such as education or medical access.
Electric buses cost more up front, but are much cheaper and more efficient to run over time. Repair costs are much lower, as no oil changes are needed, and electric vehicles generally need less maintenance work than fossil-powered vehicles.
Resources for School Bus Programs
Click the School Buses button to learn more about school bus programs and routes.
Free Bus Opportunities
Free bus and other types of transportation help students, people with disabilities, retirees, and other disadvantaged members of the community access basic necessities like education, work/volunteer opportunities, medical care, and more. Free bus passes mean people can socialize without adding to traffic congestion, and are more likely to use public transit than add to the growing parking space problem.
International
Europe
Findland
Åland
This autonomous island region offers free public transit to residents and tourists.
Scotland
Young Persons' Free Bus Travel To help reach net zero, free bus travel will be available for under 22s, to help combat climate change.
North America
In the USA and Canada (perhaps other places too) it is common for children to have free school bus services to and from school. Check with your local school district for a map or other resources to help find the times and locations your local bus stops at.
USA
Washington
Island Transit GO! Fare Free On Demand Service Service runs 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Island Transit’s on demand service is transportation when and where you need it. This new pilot program is currently only offered in Zone 3, previously known as Route 3. Additional on demand zones will be created as the year progresses."
Oceana
Australia
Free Travel on Public Transport "Find out how to get free travel on Transperth buses. trains and ferries, from free rides for children and seniors to free transit zones."
Bus System Directory
This is not a full list, but we are constantly adding bus systems from around the world. If you notice we've missed one you know about, please contact one of the mods on r/planeteerhandbook so we can add it to the list.
The following links include:
Web pages for specific companies with maps of their bus routes or other helpful tools.
Independent reviews/comparisons of or guides to bus systems in specific countries or regions.
Ticket companies that help you pick routes and buy tickets for your bus trips.
The countries in our directories are organized according to this map as voted on by the PlaneteerHandbook community.
Africa
Algeria
Botswana
Brunei
Kenya
BuuPass "is Kenya's market leader for online bus booking. We enable travelers to reserve seats and make payments in a convenient and timely way."
How to Travel Between Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda by Bus "Traveling between Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda by bus is pretty straightforward. One bus takes you all the way. No transfers are required. The trip takes 12-14 hours. Day and night buses are available. In this guide, I outline buying tickets, pricing, bus schedules, ticketing office locations, luggage, safety, and more. I will also explain how to get the Uganda visa as it is not available at the border."
Malawi
Traveling from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Lilongwe, Malawi by Bus "This trip can be done in 2 full days of travel. It is best to plan for 3-4 days just in case you experience delays"
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
How to Travel from Kampala, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda by Bus "Traveling by bus between Kampala and Kigali is pretty straightforward. One bus will take you all the way. No transfers required. The journey takes about 9 hours and can be made during the day or overnight. In this guide, I’ll outline how to buy tickets, prices, bus times, and more."
How to Travel From Kigali, Rwanda to Arusha or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by Bus "The journey is pretty straightforward though it is long and exhausting. This service just recently started operating. Before, the only way to travel between Rwanda and Tanzania would be a series of buses and minibusses or a 40-hour bus journey through Uganda and Kenya in order to reach Tanzania. The trip to Dar es Salaam takes about 24 hours. The trip to Arusha will take 2 days because a transfer is required."
South Africa
Tanzania
How to Travel From Kigali, Rwanda to Arusha or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by Bus "The journey is pretty straightforward though it is long and exhausting. This service just recently started operating. Before, the only way to travel between Rwanda and Tanzania would be a series of buses and minibusses or a 40-hour bus journey through Uganda and Kenya in order to reach Tanzania. The trip to Dar es Salaam takes about 24 hours. The trip to Arusha will take 2 days because a transfer is required."
Traveling from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Lilongwe, Malawi by Bus "This trip can be done in 2 full days of travel. It is best to plan for 3-4 days just in case you experience delays"
Tunisia
Uganda
How to Travel Between Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda by Bus "Traveling between Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda by bus is pretty straightforward. One bus takes you all the way. No transfers are required. The trip takes 12-14 hours. Day and night buses are available. In this guide, I outline buying tickets, pricing, bus schedules, ticketing office locations, luggage, safety, and more. I will also explain how to get the Uganda visa as it is not available at the border."
How to Travel from Kampala, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda by Bus "Traveling by bus between Kampala and Kigali is pretty straightforward. One bus will take you all the way. No transfers required. The journey takes about 9 hours and can be made during the day or overnight. In this guide, I’ll outline how to buy tickets, prices, bus times, and more."
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Asia
Armenia
Busbud: Armenia Bus Routes
Azerbaijan
Busbud: Azerbaijan Bus Routes
Cambodia
China
TourRadar: Coach / Bus Tours in China 2022/2023
Beijing
Guangzhou
Guangzhou Public Transport Group (not in English)
Guangzhou Transportation overview of transit options including buses, metro, and railway.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou Public Buses (for English speakers)
Hangzhou Public Transportation Group (not in English)
Shanghai
Shanghai Transportation Includes information about the Metro, bus system, ferry, etc.
Tianjin
Travel China Guide: Tianjin Transportation includes train, bus, metro and other transport options.
Georgia
Jordan
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Laos
Macao
Malaysia
MyRapid Bus and trains services, learn about train lines, city pass, tokens, and more.
Myanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Turkey
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
Vietnam Bus Company Guide – A Review of 22 Bus Companies
Europe
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Transit Explorer helps compare train and bus routes with an interactive map. Check routes on different days, estimated travel times, number of stops, and each listing notes which items in the list are faster or cheaper.
Albania
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Andorra
Austria
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Belarus
Belgium
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Bosnia
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Bulgaria
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Croatia
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Czechia
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Denmark
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Estonia
Finland
France
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Transit Explorer helps compare train and bus routes with an interactive map. Check routes on different days, estimated travel times, number of stops, and each listing notes which items in the list are faster or cheaper.
Germany
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Greece
Hungary
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Ireland
Italy
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Kosovo
Latvia
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Lichtenstein
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Lithuania
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Luxembourg
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Macedonia
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Malta
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
The Netherlands
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Norway
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Poland
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Portugal
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Romania
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Russia
Serbia
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Sweden
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Switzerland
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
Ukraine
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
UK
FlixBus "Acquiring Megabus and their European network means we can now offer more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations throughout Europe - you can expect more daily routes to London!"
National Express coach (multilingual site)
Omio: UK Buses: Cheap Bus Tickets and Popular British Bus Routes
uk buses "a bus enthusiasts' web site founded in March 2005. Our aim is to provide information about bus fleets in the United Kingdom. uk buses is not associated with any official Operator(s) and/or Group(s)."
North America
Bahamas
Canada
Guatemala
Honduras
Honduras Trains and Buses "A very small rail network exists in Honduras, although does not connect any major cities and seldom carries passengers. The main form of ground transportation is by bus, and all major destinations are easily accessible. Different companies serve different locations, although you will easily find a direct route between San Pedro Sula, Copan, Tela, La Ceiba, and Tegucigalpa. For example, El Rey Express (+11-504-550-8355) has hourly departures between San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, while Catisa-Tupsa (+11-504-552-1042) runs from Tela to La Ceiba every hour."
Mexico
USA
BestBus "With BestBus, you get a variety of pickup and drop-off locations across the country. Enjoy convenient access to Dupont and Union station in Washington, D.C., Penn Station in New York, and several Virginia and Delaware locations."
Megabus "Begin your trip and explore the most iconic cities in America. Bus service across the United States has never been easier."
Alabama
Arizona
VIA Trailways rentals for groups and events.
California
VIA Trailways rentals for groups and events.
Delaware
BestBus "With BestBus, you get a variety of pickup and drop-off locations across the country. Enjoy convenient access to Dupont and Union station in Washington, D.C., Penn Station in New York, and several Virginia and Delaware locations."
OurBus "On-time, Every time. All measures are taken to ensure that the buses depart on-time every single time."
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Miller Transportation Charters, tours, and event rentals.
Kentucky
BGCAP Transit "Our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for all members of the general public in 11 counties* of central Kentucky. We operate accessible demand response and deviated fixed route transit service for the general public, as well as provide lifeline transportation for clients of Medicaid and other social service programs."
KRFDC has several different buses with varying schedules for your convenience. (Richmond)
Miller Transportation Charters, tours, and event rentals.
TARC (Transit Authority of River City) Public transit for Louisville.
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
BestBus "With BestBus, you get a variety of pickup and drop-off locations across the country. Enjoy convenient access to Dupont and Union station in Washington, D.C., Penn Station in New York, and several Virginia and Delaware locations."
North Carolina
Ohio
Miller Transportation Charters, tours, and event rentals.
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Tornado Bus Company En español, or click the US flag in the top left corner of their home page for English.
Virginia
Washington D.C
BestBus "With BestBus, you get a variety of pickup and drop-off locations across the country. Enjoy convenient access to Dupont and Union station in Washington, D.C., Penn Station in New York, and several Virginia and Delaware locations."
OurBus "On-time, Every time. All measures are taken to ensure that the buses depart on-time every single time."
Oceana
Australia
Busbud: Australia Bus Routes
Brisbane City Council: Buses "Find out about Brisbane's City and Spring Hill Loops, CityGlider and BUZ services, bus depots, accessibility, charters and safety. Brisbane City Council's bus fleet is 100% air-conditioned and wheelchair and pram accessible."
New Zealand
South America
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
"Long-distance bus (coach) services connect Montevideo with all of the departmental capitals. There are departures to the northern cities of Paysandú, Salto, Rivera and Tacuarembó at around midnight and also early in the morning. Expect to pay about 1 Uruguayan peso per kilometre travelled. There are departures for Punta del Este at about 15 minute intervals in season ($142, 2 hours). There are also regular connections to Colonia ($176, 2 ½ hours). All long distance buses depart from the huge Tres Cruces terminal at the edge of the Centre. From there, the CA1 bus takes you downtown for $9 or take a taxi from the rank at the terminal (count on US$4-5 to Pocitos or Punta Carretas). You can find out which bus company goes where, and more information on schedules at: www.trescruces.com.uy. Tickets are available at the terminal. Book a few days ahead if you are travelling out of Montevideo on a Friday, or back from the provinces on a Sunday." - Uruguay-Now
Tres Cruces "Horarios y Destinos de Viaje"
Venezuela
Organizations
International
TUMI "supports transport projects all around the world and enables policy makers to transform urban mobility. TUMI is based on three pilars: innovation, knowledge, investment. We support innovative pilot projects around the whole world. We share knowledge with planners about modern mobility concepts, in workshops and conferences. We invest in construction and modernisation of sustainable urban infrastructure."
North America
USA
National Complete Streets Coalition News of complete streets activities from around the country and proposed federal legislation plus resources including fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation.
Grants & Funding
Asia
Livable Cities: Financing Partnership Facility "The urban operations of ADB benefits from the support of notable trust funds, which are collectively referred to as the Urban Financing Partnership Facility. Under this umbrella, strategic, long-term, multi-partner investments on innovative urban solutions are implemented. These investments help to achieve the vision of livable cities." These include:
Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) eligible countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam.
North America
USA
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program "provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants."
Oceana
Australia
Western Australia
The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."