For Israeli company, see
Tour Bus. For buses commonly used by musicians while touring, see
Sleeper bus.
A tour bus service is a bus service that takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around tourist attractions. Double-decker buses and/or open top buses are commonly used, for their good views.
The biggest tour bus company is City Sightseeing,[citation needed] which operates worldwide, as does Gray Line Worldwide.[citation needed]
Large coaches are used internationally by tour operators for short and long distance destinations. These buses are larger than regular transit buses with 2 to 4 axles (6 to 10 wheels). These buses are used by tour operators, intecity bus lines and charters.[1][2]
The history of tour buses in North America began in the early 20th Century when trucks were converted to provide a means for sightseeing within large American cities.[3] Gray Line, the largest sightseeing operators began operations in 1910. Sightseeing was likely a side buses for many intercity bus operators as the same types of buses were used (and remains so today). World War II as the industry decline, but it slowly re-emerged as an alternative to driving.[3]
Many musicians, entertainers, dancing crews and bands travel in "tour buses".
[edit] Features
- padded fabric or leather front-facing seats, often reclining.
- foot and arm rests.
- TV monitors connected to DVD or VCR to provide entertainment or possibly Analog TV or DTV for local news or programs (possibly in seats with viewer choosing what station)
- basic lavatory - riders may be discouraged against using it (emergency only),[4] but some newer buses feature full service lavatory[5]
- cool water dispenser, refrigerator, how water urn.
- wheelchair ramp and "kneeling suspension" for easier access (especially for the elderly and infirmed).
- tinted windows (and/or curtains or blinds).
- luggage compartment (or bins) below in the underbelly of bus, with overhead hand-luggage racks.
[edit] Tour coach manufacturers
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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