A bus stand, also called a bus bay, or bus stance, is a designated parking location where a

bus A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a motor vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van, but fewer than the average rail transport. It is most commonly used ...

or coach waits out of service between scheduled

public transport Public transport (also known as public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) are forms of transport available to the general public. It typically uses a fixed schedule, route and charges a fixed fare. There is no rigid definition of whic ...

services. 'Bus stand' is also often an alternative name for specific

bus stop A bus stop is a place where Public transport bus service, buses stop for passengers to get on and off the bus. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage, where stops at busy locations may have shelter (building), shelters ...

s inside a

bus station A bus station, bus depot, or bus interchange is a structure where city buses or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. A bus station is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the roadside, where buses can st ...

. Bus stands are seen at different busy spots, like school or college gates, markets, medical centres and the crossing point(s) of two or more roads. A bus stand is usually employed to allow a bus to lay over at a

bus terminus A bus station, bus depot, or bus interchange is a structure where city buses or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. A bus station is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the roadside, where buses can s ...

, without giving the appearance of being in service, or blocking the stop from use by other buses that are in service. Bus stands also allow short-term parking for driver changes or driver breaks. In the simplest case, a bus turnout type of bus stop is extended, and buses can lay over away from the stop if necessary. In locations where buses cannot remain stationary for long, nearby but separate bus stands may be provided where other bus parking is not conveniently located. Due to their public transport use, bus stands will often be specifically covered by local legislation. Parking of non- public service vehicles (PSVs) in bus stands may be prohibited. For

pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause harm. Pollution can take the form of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light). Pollutants, the component ...

and fuel saving concerns, drivers may be required to switch their engines off if in a bus stand, as opposed to when stopped in a bus stop. In public bus and coach stations, buses will often be marshalled into specific parking slots, which act as stands where buses queue for an available slot at a departure point, such as in

Victoria Coach Station Victoria Coach Station in the City of Westminster is the largest bus station, coach station in London, and a bus terminus, terminus for medium and long distance Coach transport in the United Kingdom, coach services in the United Kingdom. It is ...

in London. At the appropriate time, the bus can be moved the short distance to the stop, to begin boarding.

References

{{Public transport Bus terminology Public transport

See also

References