Seven Super Fun Facts About Buses
We think buses are pretty neat (not that we're biased or anything…) And we also love to learn! How many of these fun facts about buses have you heard before?
Even if we're not taking you personally to school, we can still teach you a few things! Here are some of our favorite fun facts about buses throughout history and around the world.
Transportation for All
The French term "omnibus" was coined in the 1820s, referring to "long, horse-drawn vehicles that transported people along the main thoroughfares of Paris." The word means "for all" in Latin and has been shortened to "bus" in modern use.
The Benz Bus
You might recognize the name Carl Benz in relation to fancy automobiles. But did you know that the guy who invented the first gasoline-powered car also built the first motorized bus? In 1895, the engineer converted a passenger car into a vehicle that could be more accessible to the public, creating the "omnibus", which could hold up to eight people.
Worldwide Public Transit
Due to their versatility and accessibility to the greater public, buses are believed to be the world's most widely used form of public transportation. As of 2022, it is estimated that there are 3 million buses in operation globally, with an industry value of over $48 billion.
A Big 'Ol Bus
Germany's AutoTram Extra Grand is the largest bus in the world currently in operation. This giant vehicle can hold up to 256 passengers and measures 30 meters long (that's over 98 feet - approximately the length of two and a half average-sized buses!)
World's Longest Route
In the 1960s, a double-decker bus called Albert took travelers on the world's longest bus route from London, England, to Kolkata (then Calcutta), India, over about 48 days. The trip cost £145 (equivalent to approximately $2,004 in 2023) and covered over 10,000 miles.
The First Bus Line
In 1662, Blaise Pascal developed the world's first public "bus" line in France, using horse-drawn carriages. The "five-penny coaches" took passengers through the streets of Paris for a novelty ride, but it didn't last long, as it was only accessible to nobles and wasn't a necessary service at the time.
Painted for Safety
You might wonder why almost all school buses are yellow or "National School Bus Glossy Yellow" as Federal Standards call it. While there is no law stating that these vehicles have to be this color, it is recommended for safety reasons, as yellow is highly visible to both students and other drivers.
See? Buses ARE pretty neat! If you're hungry for more bus-related knowledge, check out Bus Drivers Who Made History and Six Iconic Buses.
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