In the travel industry, the terms “bus”, “charter bus”, and “motorcoach” are pretty much interchangeable. But there actually is a difference between them.
The term “bus” is generic and essentially describes the vehicle designed to carry many passengers at once. A “charter bus” is a bus hired for a particular trip, either local or long-distance. But a “motorcoach” generally refers to a bus that carries people long distances, such as from state to state or across the country.
Bus History
The first buses were used in Europe in the 17th Century. Obviously, they were horse-drawn rather than powered by gas engines (which hadn’t been invented yet). The term “bus” is actually a shortened version of “omnibus”, which originally was a horse-drawn carriage that was used for public transportation along an established route.
The first omnibus was used in Paris in 1662, but by the end of that century, they could be found in most major European cities. When the gas engine was invented in the late 19th Century, motorized buses slowly began replacing horse-drawn streetcars, stagecoaches, and other vehicles used to carry people.
Motorcoaches Today
Today, a motorcoach is a term technically used only for private transportation that carries people long distances, or essentially charter buses. While all modern motorcoaches are buses, not all buses are motorcoaches.
Features that distinguish motorcoaches from buses include:
- A single entry door at the front of the vehicle
- Storage compartments beneath the bus for luggage
- Uniform rows of individual seats throughout the bus
- A ramp or hydraulic wheelchair lift at the rear of the vehicle (for ADA-accessible coaches)
Because motorcoaches are designed for long-distance travel, they also typically feature additional comforts and luxuries that standard buses don’t, including plush reclining seats, WiFi, electric and USB outlets, TVs, overhead storage compartments, and individual panels with reading lights and personal climate control.
