The second bus is carrying 12 * 2 = <<12*2=24>>24 people.
The third bus has 24 – 6 = <<24-6=18>>18 people.
The fourth bus has 12 + 9 = <<12+9=21>>21 people on it.
In total, there are 12 + 24 + 18 + 21 = <<12+24+18+21=75>>75 people on the buses.
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