The Bus News

[p]While one part of the development team continues working on the already released lines 6 and 17 — addressing community feedback and adding new features like AI buses — another part is focusing on the northern expansion.[/p][p][/p][p]The new line 7 runs from Barmbek station towards Steilshoop. Along the way, it shows many faces of the city: from Barmbek’s lively center with shops and restaurants, through commercial areas, to the distinctive high-rise buildings in Steilshoop. Despite the dense urban development, the district is surprisingly green and varied.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Many new buildings are being created as individual 3D models. Highlights include the Catholic Church of St. Johannis on Gründgensstraße, the Emil-Krause School near Habichtstraße subway station, and modern single-family homes near the Borchertring terminus. Of course, the typical four-story red brick apartment buildings are also included.[/p][p][/p][p]Particularly charming are the allotment gardens with wooden garden sheds, which have not appeared in the Hamburg DLC before. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]A new line means more than just new buildings. It also brings new streets, pathways, markings, traffic signs, and countless small details. While one part of the team focuses on buildings, another works on roads, sidewalks, curbs, and traffic rules. After that comes vegetation, lighting, and many tiny objects that are hardly noticed but are crucial for the atmosphere.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]The images in this news post give a first impression of the current progress. Many buildings are already placed but will be further refined and aligned correctly. Some screenshots also show maps from the State Survey Office (Geoportal), which allow us to achieve almost centimeter-accurate placement. [/p][p]Please note: this is development material and will continue to be expanded.[/p][p]
[/p][p]If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback about The Bus DLC Hamburg City, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re always happy to hear from you![/p][p]Stay up to date:[/p]

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[p][/p][p]We hope you continue to enjoy exploring virtual Hamburg![/p]

[p]The new version of the popular The Bus DLC Hamburg City is now available on Steam![/p][p]
A huge thank you to our community—many of your suggestions and requests have been included in this update.[/p][p]Of course, not everything can be implemented right away. Adjustments to bus mods are still limited, as there isn’t a usable vehicle editor yet.
New buses aren’t part of the Hamburg DLC itself, since in The Bus, vehicles and maps are separate content.
However, Steam bundles that combine both could be possible in the future.[/p][p][/p][h3]What’s new in this version?[/h3][p]The most noticeable change is the many new Hamburg lamps and streetlights.
Over ten new variants have been added, from whip lights in different shapes to double masts with spotlights and new lighting on traffic islands.
This makes Hamburg’s streets even more atmospheric at night. Check out the comparison images of old vs. new lighting in this news post.[/p][p]Announcements have also been expanded and refined, for example at terminal stops and transfer points.
Plus, new city details have been added, like the blue crane in front of the Museum of Work in Barmbek. Even if the bus doesn’t pass directly by, it adds to the authentic atmosphere.
Timetables and fleet files have been updated, and some objects now have improved collision detection.[/p][p][/p][h3]Looking ahead[/h3][p]We’re already working on more features, including AI buses on lines 6 and 17, which are currently being tested in the base game.
The northern route extension with line 7 is also in progress, and we’ll share more details soon. The updated lighting will, of course, be included on this new section as well.[/p][p][/p][h3]Changelog[/h3]

• [p]New Hamburg lamps and streetlights[/p]
• [p]Added announcements for transfer points[/p]
• [p]English announcements added at the main station[/p]
• [p]Travel times from depot to starting stop adjusted[/p]
• [p]Fleet file updates[/p]
• [p]Improved collision detection for objects[/p]
• [p]New objects, e.g., historic crane at the Museum of Work in Barmbek[/p]
• [p]Corrections to terminal stop announcements[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Steam Update[/h3][p]The update will be delivered automatically via Steam. Depending on your settings, it may download immediately or later.
If you don’t want to wait, you can start the download manually by clicking the button next to the entry in the Steam client.
New players will, of course, receive the latest version right away.[/p][p][/p][h3]Stay connected[/h3][p]Follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date. Even faster, join our Telegram channel for instant push notifications straight to your smartphone.[/p][p][/p][p]Enjoy your time in virtual Hamburg![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]During the gamescom, we’re giving you 25% off The Bus from August 20 to 27![/p][p][/p][p]Have fun and see you at our booth in Hall 9 😊[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Since the end of July, the popular Hamburg map for The Bus has been available, and work on it is continuing at full speed.[/p][p]We have carefully evaluated the feedback from Steam comments, YouTube videos, and directly through the TML reporting system.[/p][p][/p][p]At this point, we would like to sincerely thank you for your numerous ideas, suggestions, remarks, as well as for your praise and constructive criticism.[/p][p][/p][h3]More Variety in Street Lamps[/h3][p]One point of criticism concerned the street lighting.[/p][p]For Hamburg, we had already implemented special details, such as the lamps hanging on cables in Steinstraße and at Steintorbrücke, or the spotlights on the warehouse buildings.
However, in reality, Hamburg’s street lamp landscape is even more diverse.[/p][p][/p][p]That’s why, since release, we have created over ten additional models and variants, which will gradually replace the previous lamps.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]For example, at Sandtorkai you will now find the typical whip-shaped double lamps, and at major intersections, new tall lanterns will be used in the future.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]All lamps have also been optimized in terms of their light cones to create a coherent night-time appearance.
The wide variety of different heights and light fixtures will also be visible on the upcoming section of Line 7.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Progress on the AI Buses[/h3][p]Progress is also being made with the AI buses.[/p][p]The implementation is technically complex, since the tests cannot be carried out directly in the editor, but instead in a special internal game version that has to be generated anew each time.[/p][p]As the AI buses are still in the beta phase in the main game, patience is required – but we want to make this feature available for Hamburg as soon as possible.[/p][p][/p][h3]Outlook[/h3][p]The next update for The Bus DLC – Hamburg City is scheduled for August 2025.
As soon as it becomes available, we will publish a news post with the full changelog.
You can already find the first images at the end of this announcement.[/p][p][/p][h3]Stay Up to Date[/h3][p]Follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter to never miss any news.[/p][p]For even quicker updates, join our Telegram channel – there you will receive all information directly as push notifications on your smartphone.[/p][p][/p][p]We wish you continued fun in virtual Hamburg![/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]From August 20 to 24, 2025, you can experience The Bus live at the Aerosoft booth in Hall 9, Stand B43. Sell tickets, pick up passengers, and drive across Berlin or Hamburg – recreated on a realistic 1:1 scale.[/p][p][/p][p]When: August 20–24, 2025
Where: Hall 9, Stand B43[/p][p][/p][p]With various buses, realistic routes, and detailed city views, The Bus offers the next generation of city bus simulation. Stop by and try it live![/p]