Bus Driver (video game)

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 8 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.