The Bus News

Hey everyone! 👋

April 16 is the day: The Bus enters Early Access Phase 3 – and it’s bringing a free update!
💥

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

🚦 Here’s what’s coming your way:

Multiplayer is now official!
The long-awaited multiplayer mode is leaving beta and becomes an official part of the main game!
You can now cruise through Berlin together with your friends!

A brand-new vehicle is joining the lineup: the Galaxis Urban!

Modern, quiet – and packed with exciting features: Optional fast-charging roof module
Fast-charging stations at terminal stops (Zoologischer Garten/Hertzallee & Michelangelostraße)
Plug-in charging ports at the front and door side (not functional yet – but still cool, right?)
Front panel opens to reveal door controls
A real head-turner – and it’s all included for free in the update!

Technical upgrade & tons of improvements

With Phase 3, you’ll also get: Performance boosts & bug fixes
…and lots of small optimizations to make your driving experience even smoother


⚠️ Note: Price increase possible
With the transition to the new phase, a price increase might be on the horizon.
So if you’re still thinking about it – now’s a great time to hop on board! 😉


🎯 Looking ahead
Phase 3 is the final Early Access phase before the full release, which is still planned for 2025.
Of course, more info to come soon!


We’re super excited to hear your feedback – and especially to see your multiplayer rides through the capital! 🚍
Let us know in the comments which feature you’re most looking forward to! 👇

🚌 The Multiplayer Video for The Bus is now available!
Check out how you can drive together in multiplayer mode through Berlin!


👉 Watch the video now and learn how the multiplayer works!
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

In the new video, we explain everything you need to know about the multiplayer in The Bus – and the best part: it's already available in Beta!


🔜 Planned Features:
Text chat is already available, and voice chat is planned for the future.

Update 2.6 of the Early Access of The Bus is now available as BETA for testing.

Together with the release of the beta for 2.6 (Edit: 3.0) we are also releasing the first ALPHA version of the The Bus Multiplayer.

For creating servers please check out the guide here: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/manageguide/?id=3387160853

For the full detailed list of changes, please, see the changelog below.

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Please create backup copies of your savegame files before switching to the EA BETA Update. Savegames may not be compatible with the new version of the game.

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ATTENTION: This is a BETA update. Technical problems, instability of the game as well as bugs during gameplay can be possible.

How to install the beta version of the update?

Quite easily:

1. In your Library, you click with the right mouse button on the entry of the "The Bus"
   
2. In the drop-menu, you click on the entry "Properties"
   
3. In the window "The Bus - Properties" you select the tab "BETAS"
   
4. In the field "Select the beta you would like to opt into:" select the entry "beta - public beta"
   
5. Now you can close the window and the beta version of the update should download right away
   
6. After downloading the update you can start The Bus via the "PLAY" button
   
7. In the main menu should now be the corresponding version number of the beta version of the update and you can test the update
   

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Changelog 0.22.79378 EA Beta

• Added Multiplayer ALPHA
  
• Upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.4
  
• Added support for Aerosoft Truck & Bus Wheel System
  
• Reworked keybinds for Gears, Wipers, Indicator and Light Switch
  
• Reworked device assistant to allow for multiple devices
  
• Increased 32 Button Limit for devices
  
• Added new Passenger spawn system
  
• Level Art Fixes
  
• Performance Optimizations**
  

Changelog 0.22.80012 EA Beta

• Fixed stop names in navi using wrong format
  
• Fixed crashes caused by invalid repaints*
  
• Fixed server freezing*
  
• Fixed server fleet settings not applying*
  
• Fixed player name in multiplayer not appearing*
  
• Fixed wipers not syncing in multiplayer*
  
• Added tickrate command for checking server performance*
  
• Fixed tour continuation skipping first stops*
  
• Passengers now look at the currently selected line when looking for a bus to enter
  
• Chat window can now be hidden*
  
• Added support for IPv6*
  
• Servers can now be found via ID instead of IP*
  
• Fixed 16 max player limit*
  
• Level Art Fixes
  
• Performance Optimizations**
  

Changelog 0.22.80478 EA Beta

• Added public server list*
  
• Added server description*
  
• Added server links*
  
• Added chat commands*
  
• Removed tour finished popup
  
• Passengers no longer wait for money to be collected
  
• Fix flying out of bus after leaving passenger seat*
  
• Operating Plans and Fleets can now be loaded from the mods folder*
  
• Fixed toggle for editing HUD when hud element is selected*
  
• Allow changing fleet through admin panel*
  
• Changes in the admin panel are now stored to serversettings*
  
• First Tour may now start at depot if there is time*
  
• Fixed busses spawning inside other busses*
  
• Updated construction near Turmstrasse
  
• Game will now try to join with both ipv4 and ipv6*
  
• Fixed automatic door closing*
  
• Fixed sounds for picking up cash*
  
• Parking bus leftovers removed*
  
• Fixed Passengers not respecting zones when buying tickets*
  
• Fixed MAN interior display showing nothing*
  
• Fixed passengers disappearing when start stop is unloaded*
  
• Fixed passengers leaving at first stop*
  
• Fixed board computer not detecting open doors*
  
• Fixed continuing to wrong tour*
  
• Fixed display update when assigning vehicles*
  
• Fixed repaint sync when loading busses in MP*
  
• Fixed wrong path search when driving the correct path*
  
• Level Art Fixes
  
• Performance Optimizations**
  

Changelog 0.22.81097 EA Beta

• Port Forwarding no longer necessary*
  
• All server settings can now be changed ingame*
  
• Fixed public servers always appearing as offline*
  
• Fixed ticket sales only working at first stop*
  
• Fixed no passengers at far away stops if late*
  
• Fixed fleet synchronization*
  
• Fixed button selection mode
  
• Live events are now available in multiplayer*
  
• Fixed passengers approaching bus even if not intending to enter*
  
• Fixed disconnect when pressing cashier buttons*
  
• Fixed blur when finishing route*
  
• Fixed shift end breaks boardcomputer*
  
• Fixed crash when pausing shift in boardcomputer*
  
• Level Art Fixes
  
• Performance Optimizations**
  

Changelog 0.22.81578 EA Beta
04 Apr 2025

• Added Linux support for Dedicated Servers
  
• Fixed cashier missing in ecitybus multiplayer
  
• Fixed passengers failing to leave bus
  
• Fixed no cash appearing in ecitybus
  
• Added option to configure maximum wheel rotation
  
• Added option to turn off turn signal reset
  
• Camera now turns with the bus when in passenger seat
  
• Arcade mode now works in Multiplayer
  
• Level Art Fixes
  
• Performance Optimizations**
  

Changelog 0.22.82050 EA Beta
11 Apr 2025

• Fixed Navigation for route 245*
  
• Fixed passengers sometimes not paying for tickets above 20€*
  
• Fixed passengers appearing behind the bus when leaving seat*
  
• Fixed no ticket sales in multiplayer working*
  
• Fixed navi hiding speed etc. when taking over bus*
  
• Level Art Fixes
  
• Performance Optimizations**
  

Changelog 0.22.82357 EA Beta
15 Apr 2025

• Fixed server freezing when spawning on top of another bus*
  
• Fixed crash when joining related to audio devices*
  
• Fixed galaxis repaint issues*
  

* Only occurred during the BETA test of this update

** Please, be aware that the impact of performance optimisations varies from system to system due to hardware configurations, installed software, and other programs running in the background

Line 142 is now available for free in The Bus!

It runs from Leopoldplatz to Ostbahnhof.

Thanks to the new depot on Müllerstraße, you have a short connection here!

We hope you enjoy the new route!

Update 2.5 of The Bus is here!

You can find a detailed list with all the changes in the following:

Changelog 0.21.77445 EA

• Upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.3
  
• Added Lumen Global Illumination
  
• Added Fleet System
  
• Reworked Antialiasing Settings
  
• Reworked several bus features for multiplayer: Hatches, Indicators, Gearboxes, Action Cameras, Cruise Control, Ignition, Retarder
  
• Reworked Button Tooltips for Scania, MAN DD and Citea
  
• Reworked Cross Selector for Scania, MAN DD and Citea
  
• Reworked light logic for Scania, Citea
  
• Removed passenger comments option, can be controlled via voice slider and subtitle option
  
• Fixed passenger sounds playing without passengers
  
• Fixed multiple passengers sitting in the same seat
  
• Fixed passengers spawning on top of bus stop signs and roofs
  
• Fixed being able to double brake/accelerate
  
• Fixed some ambient sounds not playing
  
• Added map and bus overview to Telemetry
  
• Added Chargeinfo to Operating plan
  
• You can now select and sit down in passenger seats
  
• Redesigned River Water
  
• Fixed Time Skip button active even when no time skip target is available
  
• Fixed Passengers rarely double requesting a receipt
  
• Bus Displays are now parts and can be exchanged
  
• Fixed an issue that causes deadlock of vehicles at crossroad
  
• Fixed some interactions that stopped working
  
• Fixed stop request not fulfilled when doors were opened manually
  
• Fixed button tooltips appearing even when not hovered
  
• Fixed several navigation Issues
  
• Can no longer sit down in occupied seats
  
• Fixed camera height when sitting in certain seats
  
• Fixed announcements on modmaps not working
  
• Fixed Indicator lever sounds
  
• Fixed crash when mod asks for restart
  
• Reworked Button Tooltips and Lights for ecitybus
  
• MAN DD sound fixes
  
• Operating Plans and Fleets now show Dependencies
  
• Fixed not being able to start some tours due to different stop index
  
• Fixed Atron selecting tours from wrong day
  
• AI vehicle sound fixes
  
• Added option to return to default in Sound Options
  
• Made short trip ticket more likely to be chosen
  
• Updated window and glass materials
  
• Fixed LODs in Background
  
• Added hint for removing glasses
  
• Auto detect for settings fixed
  
• Fixed scania door clearance button mixup
  
• Fixed ecitybus door state in cross selector
  
• Fixed desync when trying to start motor with wrong gear
  
• Level Art Fixes
  
• Performance Optimizations**
  

** Please, be aware that the impact of performance optimisations varies from system to system due to hardware configurations, installed software, and other programs running in the background