Open top bus
Encyclopedia
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
, usually but not exclusively a double-decker bus
Double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
, where all or part of the roof has been removed to enable enjoyment of fresh air and uninterrupted views.
Usage
Double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
es were constructed with no roof on the upper deck, and were the original "open-toppers".
Open top buses are now primarily used as tour bus
Tour bus
A tour bus service is a bus service that takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around tourist attractions. Double-decker buses and/or open top buses are commonly used, for their good views....
es for sightseeing in cities, or around rural monuments or areas of special interest. These often include specialist information equipment, and colourful liveries illustrating the route.
Open top buses can also see service in some regions on regular public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
transit bus
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
services, in warm climates, or as seasonal services in temperate climates. Seasonal services are often in seaside towns, or along rural or coastal routes of particular scenic quality.
Open top buses are also often used for victory parades for sport teams, and as temporary viewing platforms at events such as the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
. Vintage open toppers can also find use for hire at events such as weddings.
Types
Double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and convert it to an open top bus. This is to give the impression of an archetypal British bus, such as the Routemaster
Routemaster
The AEC Routemaster is a model of double-decker bus that was built by Associated Equipment Company in 1954 and produced until 1968. Primarily front-engined, rear open-platform buses, a small number of variants were produced with doors and/or front entrances...
London bus, although often the bus actually purchased is not a Routemaster.
In recent years with the growth in tourism, open top bus designs have become available to be purchased new, often with long multiple axle
Multi-axle bus
A multi-axle bus is a bus or coach that has more than the conventional two axles, usually three , or more rarely, four...
and low floor Easy Access features. In the past, and in smaller companies, open top buses were converted from regular service buses, sometimes after a de-roofing bridge strike type accident.
The open deck in an open top bus may have the roof partially or fully removed, with a guard rail. An intact roof section may be left at the front or rear, and the full/half window height may remain in the open sections. Some open top buses may feature a re-fittable roof section, for fitting in inclement weather. Some may also feature upper deck seats specially outfitted to withstand the elements.
Open top buses are also used in ceremonies such as the celebration of football team championship wins or by notable people in a parade to ensure maximum visibility. This may be a security concern just like the use of convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
limousines, e.g. in 2009 an open top bus carrying the Dutch Royal Family was attacked
2009 attack on the Dutch royal family
The 2009 attack on the Dutch Royal Family occurred in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, where a man drove his car at high speed into a parade which included Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander and other members of the Dutch Royal Family; the attack happened on 30 April, the Dutch national holiday of...
by an assailant.
See also
- Open top buses in the United KingdomOpen top buses in the United KingdomOpen top buses, or open toppers, are used for a variety of reasons in the United Kingdom, mainly for sightseeing and seasonal services. Open top buses are also often exported to other countries, to give the impression of the 'traditional British bus', i.e...
- List of buses