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Bus used on shorter distance public transport services

A transit bus (also big bus, commuter bus, city bus, town bus, urban bus, stage bus, public bus, public transit bus, or simply bus) is a type of bus used in public transport bus services. Several configurations are used, including low floor buses, high floor buses, double decker buses, articulated buses and midibuses. These are distinct from all seated coaches used for intercity travel and smaller minibuses, for more flexible services .

As they are used in a public transport role, transit buses can be operated by publicly run transit authorities or municipal bus companies, as well as private transport companies on a public contract or fully independent basis. Due to the local authority use, transit buses are often built to a third party specification put to the manufacturer by the authority. Early examples of such specification include the Greater Manchester Leyland Atlantean, and DMS class London Daimler Fleetline. New transit buses may be purchased each time a route/area is contracted, such as in the London Buses tendering system. The operating area of a transit bus may also be defined as a geographic metropolitan area, with the buses used outside of this area being more varied with buses purchased with other factors in mind. Some regional size operators for capital cost reasons may use transit buses interchangeably on short urban routes as well as longer rural routes, sometimes up to 2 or 3 hours. Often transit bus operators have a selection of 'dual purpose' fitted buses, that is standard transit buses fitted with coach type seating, for longer distance routes. Sometimes transit buses may also be used as express buses on a limited stopping or non stop service at peak times, but over the same distance as the regular route.

Depending on payment systems in different municipalities, there are widely different rules with regard to which door, front or rear, one must use when boarding/exiting. For rear doors, most buses have doors opened by the driver controls or patron (with touch to open, motion sensor or push bars). Most doors on buses use air assist technology, the driver controlled doors, use air pressure to force them open, patron operated doors, can push them open, however, the doors are heavy, so the touch to open or push bar mechanism, sends pressurized air to open the doors. Most doors will signify that they are unlocked and open with lights, this gives guide to those who are going up or down the door steps to not trip and fall. Unlocked or open doors, will trigger a brake locking mechanism on the bus to prevent it from moving while someone could possibly be entering or exiting the bus, when the door is closed, the lock will release, this is mostly implemented on rear doors, not really on front doors, since the driver will be paying attention to the front door.

Transit buses can be single decker, double decker, rigid or articulated. Selection of type has traditionally been made on a regional as well as operational basis; however, with the advent of global manufacturing, all of these types can be seen in the same location or country. Depending on local policies, transit buses will also usually have two, three or (for articulated) four doors to facilitate rapid boarding and alighting. In cases of low demand routes, or to navigate small local streets, some models of minibus and small midibuses have also been used as transit type buses. The development of the midibus has also given many operators a low cost way of operating a transit bus service, with some midibuses such as the Plaxton SPD Super Pointer Dart resembling full size transit type vehicles.

Due to their public transport role, transit buses were the first type of bus to benefit from low floor technology, in response to a demand for equal access public service provision. Transit buses are also now subject to various disability discrimination acts in several jurisdictions which dictate various design features also applied to other vehicles in some cases. Due to the high number of high profile urban operations, transit buses are at the forefront of bus electrification, with hybrid electric bus, all electric bus and fuel cell bus development and testing aimed at reducing fuel usage, shift to green electricity and decreasing environmental impact. Developments of the transit bus towards higher capacity bus transport include tram like vehicles such as guided buses, longer bi articulated buses and tram like buses such as the Wright StreetCar, often as part of bus rapid transit schemes. Fare collection is also seeing a shift to off bus payment, with either the driver or an inspector verifying fare payments.

A commuter or express bus service is a fixed route bus characterized by service predominantly in one direction during peak periods, limited stops, use of multi ride tickets and routes of extended length, usually between the central business district and outlying suburbs. Commuter bus service also may include other service, characterized by a limited route structure, limited stops and a coordinated relationship with another mode of transportation. They may closely follow the routing of a conventional bus route but not stopping at every stop or not making detours such as into residential or commercial areas that conventional routes may take.