Open-top bus

An open top bus is a bus, usually but not exclusively a double-decker bus, which has been built without a roof. Early buses were constructed without roofs but in more recent times they have only been built for tourist and sightseeing services. Some are made by removing all or part of the roof from a more conventional bus.

Until the 1920s most, if not all, double-decker buses were constructed with no roof on the upper deck, and were the original "open-toppers".

Open-top buses are now primarily used as tour buses for sightseeing in cities, or around rural monuments or areas of special interest. These often include specialist information equipment, and colourful liveries illustrating the route.

Open-top buses are used in some regions on regular public transport transit bus services, in warm climates, or as seasonal services in temperate climates. Seasonal services are often in seaside towns, or along rural or coastal routes of particular scenic quality.

Open-top buses are often used for victory parades for sport teams, and as temporary viewing platforms at events such as the Epsom Derby. Vintage open-toppers can also be hired for events such as weddings. They may be used by notable people in a parade to ensure maximum visibility; this may be a security concern as with open-top cars; in 2009 an open-top bus carrying the Dutch Royal Family was attacked by an assailant.

The traditional tour bus open topper was usually either a restored heritage bus, or a converted standard bus. Sometimes the bus is converted if its top has been damaged by hitting a low obstacle e.g. a bridge. Tour operators sometimes export a double-decker bus from the United Kingdom, and convert it to an open top bus. This is to give the impression of an archetypal British bus, such as the AEC Routemaster London bus, although often the bus actually purchased is not a Routemaster.

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Wikipedia