# The Bus (video game)

The Bus is a bus simulation game developed by TML-Studios and published by Aerosoft. The early access version was available via Steam for Microsoft Windows on 25 March 2021.

## Gameplay

The Bus has the similar concepts like Bus Simulator 21. It is described as "the next generation of city bus driving simulation". It is set in the capital city of Germany, Berlin, featuring a scale of 1:1 recreation of the city.

### Buses

The Bus offers vehicles from these companies and their models:
| Manufacturer | Variant | Engine | Release date |
| Scania | Citywide LF 11m 2D | Diesel | 25 March 2021 |
| Scania | Citywide LF 11m 3D | Diesel | 25 March 2021 |
| Scania | Citywide LF 12m 2D | Diesel | 25 March 2021 |
| Scania | Citywide LF 12m 3D | Diesel | 25 March 2021 |
| Scania | Citywide LF 18m 3D | Diesel | 25 March 2021 |
| Scania | Citywide LF 18m 4D | Diesel | 25 March 2021 |
| MAN | Lion's City A39 (DD) | Diesel | 6 December 2021 |
| Mercedes-Benz (unlicensed as eCitybus) | eCitaro 12m 2D | Electric | 14 December 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz (unlicensed as eCitybus) | eCitaro 12m 3D | Electric | 14 December 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz (unlicensed as eCitybus) | eCitaro 18m 3D | Electric | 14 December 2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz (unlicensed as eCitybus) | eCitaro 18m 4D | Electric | 14 December 2022 |
| VDL | Citea LLE-99 2D | Diesel | 22 December 2023 |
| VDL | Citea LLE-120 2D | Diesel | 22 December 2023 |
| VDL | Citea LLE-120 3D | Diesel | 22 December 2023 |
| VDL | Citea LLE-127 2D | Diesel | 22 December 2023 |
| VDL | Citea LLE-127 3D | Diesel | 22 December 2023 |
| VDL | Citea SLFA-180 3D | Electric | TBA |
| VDL | Citea SLFA-180 4D | Electric | TBA |
| Solaris | Urbino 12 IV Electric 2D | Electric | TBA (Phase 3) |
| Solaris | Urbino 12 IV Electric 3D | Electric | TBA (Phase 3) |
| Solaris | Urbino 18 IV Electric 3D | Electric | TBA (Phase 3) |
| Solaris | Urbino 18 IV Electric 4D | Electric | TBA (Phase 3) |

## Development and release

The Bus is developed by TML-Studios, who is known for Tourist Bus Simulator, Fernbus Simulator and World of Subways series, with Aerosoft publishes the game. The early access version was available for Microsoft Windows on 25 March 2021. It was initially developed on Unreal Engine 4, and was upgraded to Unreal Engine 5 on 14 December 2022. The game was set to leave early access in 2024, when multiplayer is expected to be available.

### Updates

Early Access will go through different major phases, but there are regular updates to the game in between them. Even though developers said it will take them around 8 to 16 months, currently, as of March 2024, this game is in phase 2.

#### Phase 1

The Bus was released to Steam platform, and initially included the bus line TXL with various routes, Scania Citywide LF 18m, 10.9m buses, along with simple features like: passenger transport with boarding and deboarding, ticket selling, weather, seasons, also route, line and tour editor tool. This phase ended in December 14, 2022.

#### Phase 2

Introduction to five new lines: Line 200, Line 100, Line 300, Line 245, Line 123. Three new buses with its variants were released - Mercedes-Benz eCitaro (unbranded), MAN Lion's City DD and VDL Citea LLE & SLFA. One of the core features in this phase is Multiplayer mode, which hasn't been released yet. Modding was introduced to allow players to make maps and other various modifications to the game. This phase has also got performance optimizations, such as conversion to Unreal Engine's World Partition system.

#### Phase 3

Economy mode will be released, which includes creating player's own bus company, buying and selling vehicles, hiring and firing staff, etc. New content, More routes and Solaris Urbino 18 electric|Solaris Urbino IV electric will be released. Apart from more optimizations and polishing, AI buses and AI trams will be available.