Bus Driver (video game)

A bus driving simulator focused on traffic law obedience.

Silver Cord · CC BY-SA 4.0

Bus Driver is a bus driving simulator from SCS Software. It launched digitally for Microsoft Windows on 22 March 2007, and for OS X on 9 June 2011. A mobile version called Bus Driver – Pocket Edition, ported by Meridian4, hit the App Store on 27 February 2014.

In the game, players pick a route from one of several tiers. After a short load, the bus appears at a depot or terminal. The player must stop at the first stop, then follow the correct path—marked by orange arrows at intersections—while obeying all traffic rules and picking up passengers at every bus stop. Failing to do so costs points. The game starts with one tier of six buses. There are six tiers in total, with 36 routes and 13 buses (17 in the Temsa Edition). To unlock the next tier, the player must successfully complete at least four routes. Routes get longer and more complex as the player progresses. Points are lost for breaking traffic laws (like changing lanes without blinkers, driving on the wrong side, hitting vehicles or obstacles), upsetting passengers (by hard braking or causing accidents), leaving a stop early, honking to rush passengers, or leaving people behind. Points are gained for obeying laws, driving safely, and staying on schedule.

Although the game is set in the United States, many bus stop names and cities—such as Debden, Collier Row, Feltham, Potters Bar, and Westminster—are taken from areas of London. There are two camera angles: bumper and chase view. Rain appears occasionally. Each drive happens during the day or night, depending on the route. A timetable is provided, along with a tab showing the distance to the next stop.

The buses are based on real vehicles. Since the game is set in the U.S., most are American designs, but some are European because the developer is Czech. The lineup includes three MCI 102D3s (called GNR-13 LE, plus a jail variant named GNR-13 Eco), a Ford B-Series school bus (Toucan), an MCI D4500 coach (Gryphon Birdie), two NovaBus RTS-06s (Niva WS-27 Cityroamer), two Setra S415HDHs (Sista XT), two Renault Agora Ss (Remark EU), and a Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini double-decker (Velven 18). The Temsa Edition adds the Temsa Avenue, Temsa Tourmalin IC, Temsa Opalin, TEMSA Safari HD, and Temsa Diamond.

The initial game has five tiers. An extra tier was added in the Temsa Edition and the Gold Edition. Each tier contains six routes.

Quick Facts

Title: Bus Driver
Developer: SCS Software
Publisher: SCS Software · Meridian4 (Pocket Edition)
Platforms: iOS · Microsoft Windows · OS X
Released: Microsoft WindowsWW · 22 March 2007OS XWW · 9 June 2011iOSWW · 27 February 2014
Genre: Vehicle simulation
Modes: Single-player

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The game was developed by SCS Software, a Czech Republic-based studio, and despite being set in the United States, many bus stop names and cities are named after areas of London, including Debden, Collier Row, Feltham, Potters Bar, and Westminster. The player selects a route from tiers, drives a bus along a marked route while obeying traffic rules, and gains or loses points based on driving behavior, punctuality, and passenger satisfaction. The initial game contains five tiers; an additional tier was added in the Bus Driver Temsa Edition and Bus Driver Gold Edition. Each tier contains six routes, and to unlock the next tier the player must successfully drive at least four routes. The game includes thirteen buses (seventeen in Temsa Edition), based on real-life American and European designs, such as the MCI 102D3, Ford B-Series school bus, and Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini double decker. The Temsa Edition added five Temsa-branded buses.

Reader's Guide

Bus Driver received mixed or average reviews, with a Metacritic score of 61 out of 100 and a GameRankings average of 62%. Some reviewers praised its basic gameplay for making players 'feel good about obeying traffic laws and driving safe,' in contrast to conventional driving games that reward reckless behavior. GameWatcher called it 'a simple casual game' that accomplished its limited goals well, and CPUGamer noted it avoided the 'cardboard feeling' of some other titles. Other critics were more mixed: Gaming Nexus felt the game was easy to learn but had limited long-term replay value and would likely appeal more to younger players. GameZone criticized the controls, dated graphics, and sound design, though it found some enjoyment 'in small doses.' The harshest reviews came from PC Gamer and PC Format, both scoring it in the low 40s; PC Gamer described the experience of getting from one point to another as one of the most 'wearisome' in a driving game. The game's legacy is that of a niche simulator that successfully targeted a casual audience interested in lawful driving, but failed to impress critics seeking depth or polish.

Did You Know?

Despite being set in the United States, many bus stop names are taken from areas of London, such as Debden, Collier Row, and Westminster.
The game includes a jail variant of the MCI 102D3 bus, known as the GNR-13 Eco.
The iOS port, Bus Driver – Pocket Edition, was released by Meridian4 on 27 February 2014.