What is the speed of urban buses?
4 Answers
Urban buses typically travel at speeds between 25 to 50 kilometers per hour, not exceeding 60 kilometers per hour, but can reach up to 80 kilometers per hour in suburban areas. Here are specific details about buses: Large-scale transportation: Buses are the most common form of mass transit. Increasing demand: The development of urbanization and motorization has led to continuous growth in urban population and areas, resulting in a corresponding rapid increase in the demand for public transportation, which requires public transport companies to deploy more buses. According to statistics of 0.6 buses per 10,000 urban residents, the existing urban bus fleet is approximately 264,000 vehicles. By 2010, this number needed to reach at least 630,000, with an average annual increase of 3 to 4 thousand buses, plus replacements for scrapped buses, totaling an average annual increase of 55,000 buses. Purpose: Buses serve as a means of transportation for the general public to commute to and from work, offering affordability.
I have always been a regular bus rider. In big cities like Beijing, the average speed of buses fluctuates between 20 to 40 kilometers per hour. During rush hours, they are as crowded as snails crawling, often dropping below 20 km/h, with constant stops and starts that make people incredibly impatient. However, during smooth traffic periods, the speed can exceed 40 km/h, which feels quite exhilarating. But frequent stops at stations, time taken for passengers to board and alight, and intentional speed reductions by drivers during heavy traffic to ensure safety mean the actual average speed is around 30 km/h. I think this has a lot to do with urban layout—older districts with many curves and dense traffic lights, like where I live, can't achieve high speeds, whereas newer districts with wider roads allow for slightly faster travel. Rainy or snowy days are even slower, as drivers are extremely cautious on slippery roads. Although buses can't match the speed of subways or taxis, as an eco-friendly transportation option, they are still economical and efficient, making them worth promoting.
As an automotive enthusiast, I believe urban buses generally operate within a speed range of 20 to 50 km/h, constrained by multiple factors. Engine design and vehicle weight are crucial - most buses use diesel engines, which have slow acceleration and high fuel consumption, making it difficult to exceed 50 km/h. Urban speed limits are mostly below 50 km/h, coupled with frequent braking and starting, resulting in an actual average speed of around 30 km/h. I've chatted with some driver friends in the community who mentioned that during peak hours, traffic crawls at tortoise-like speeds, struggling to maintain even 20 km/h; on clear highway sections, speeds can exceed 40 km/h but only briefly. Traffic signal density and stop spacing also hinder speed - more traffic lights mean more deceleration and yielding. Electric bus versions might be slightly faster, offering quieter and smoother operation. Overall, these aren't speed machines but prioritize safety and stability, ensuring passengers arrive safely - especially noticeable when drivers take corners at leisurely paces.
After years of driving, I've observed that city buses generally maintain speeds between 20 to 40 km/h, dropping below 15 km/h during peak hours. Safety and regulations are the core reasons—most urban roads have a 50 km/h speed limit, and buses, being heavy with longer braking distances, require drivers to strictly adhere to rules to prevent accidents. The time taken for passenger boarding and alighting at stops further reduces the average speed to around 30 km/h. In areas with dense traffic lights, buses often queue patiently, with each green light transition causing seconds of delay. Conditions worsen during rain, snow, or smog when slippery roads discourage rapid acceleration. This design is quite sensible; slower speeds actually reduce rear-end collision risks, especially when carrying dozens of passengers where any sudden braking could be hazardous. As passengers, we should appreciate this—don't complain about the slowness, safety comes first. Just imagine the chaos that reckless speeding could cause on the roads.
