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An open top bus is a bus, usually but not exclusively a
The traditional tour bus open topper was usually either a restored heritage bus, or a converted standard bus. Sometimes the bus is converted if its top has been damaged by hitting a low obstacle e.g. a bridge. Tour operators sometimes export a
Opentopbus.net
Gallery of open top buses
{{Public transport Buses by type Open-top buses
An open top bus is a bus, usually but not exclusively a double-decker bus
A double-decker bus or double-deck bus is a bus that has two storeys or decks. They are used for mass transport in the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and also in cities such as Sydney; the best-known example is the ...
, which has been built or modified to operate without a roof. Early buses were constructed without roofs but in more recent times they have only been built for tourist and sightseeing services. Some are made by removing all or part of the roof from a more conventional bus.
Use
Until the 1920s most, if not all,double-decker bus
A double-decker bus or double-deck bus is a bus that has two storeys or decks. They are used for mass transport in the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and also in cities such as Sydney; the best-known example is the ...
es were constructed with no roof on the upper deck, and were the original "open-toppers".
Open-top buses are now primarily used as tour bus
A tour bus service is an escorted tour (sometimes a package holiday) or bus service that takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around tourist attractions.
Information
Double-decker buses and open top buses are commonly used, for provi ...
es for sightseeing
Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism m ...
in cities, or around rural monuments or areas of special interest. These often include specialist information equipment, and colourful liveries illustrating the route.
Open-top buses are used in some regions on regular public transport
Public transport (also known as public transportation, public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) is a system of transport for passengers by group travel systems available for use by the general public unlike private transport, typi ...
transit bus
Transit may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film
* ''Transit'' (1979 film), a 1979 Israeli film
* ''Transit'' (2005 film), a film produced by MTV and Staying-Alive about four people in countries in the world
* ''Transit'' (2006 film), a 2006 ...
services, in warm climates, or as seasonal services in temperate climates. Seasonal services are often in seaside towns, or along rural or coastal routes of particular scenic quality.
Open-top buses are often used for victory parades for sport teams, and as temporary viewing platforms at events such as The Derby. Vintage open-toppers can also be hired for events such as weddings. They may be used by notable people in a parade to ensure maximum visibility; this may be a security concern as with open-top cars; in 2009 an open-top bus carrying the Dutch Royal Family was attacked by an assailant.
Types
The traditional tour bus open topper was usually either a restored heritage bus, or a converted standard bus. Sometimes the bus is converted if its top has been damaged by hitting a low obstacle e.g. a bridge. Tour operators sometimes export a double-decker bus
A double-decker bus or double-deck bus is a bus that has two storeys or decks. They are used for mass transport in the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and also in cities such as Sydney; the best-known example is the ...
from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
, and convert it to an open top bus. This is to give the impression of an archetypal British bus, such as the AEC Routemaster
The AEC Routemaster is a front-engined double-decker bus that was designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The first prototype was completed in September 1954 and the last on ...
London bus, although often the bus actually purchased is not a Routemaster.
Modern open top bus designs are available, nowadays with long multiple axle and low floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i. ...
easy access features as seen on conventional closed-top buses. Many more have been converted from conventional buses which were no longer required for regular service and so may not have such features.
The open deck in an open top bus may have the roof partially or fully removed, with a guard rail. An intact roof section may be left at the front or rear, and the full/half window height may remain in the open sections. Some open top buses have a re-fittable roof section, for fitting in inclement weather. Some may also have weather-proof upper deck seats.
See also
* Open top buses in the United Kingdom *List of buses
Year refers to the first year introduced. A range of years is the period the bus was manufactured.
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References
External links
Opentopbus.net
Gallery of open top buses
{{Public transport Buses by type Open-top buses