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Sleeper bus


A sleeper bus, also known in the USA as an entertainer coach and in Europe as a nightliner, is a type of specially adapted coach, often used to transport bands and their technicians and road crew between cities and shows.

In Europe, these vehicles are full-sized coaches, but are only designed internally to carry between 8 and 18 passengers. There are always full galley facilities, comfortable lounges and bunk beds to allow the passengers to eat, relax and sleep during the journey to the next gig or concert. These vehicles sometimes have blacked out or mirrored windows, allowing passengers to see out, but preventing fans from peering in. They are well equipped, as the comfort of the passengers is paramount. DVD players, large screen TV, and game systems are now the norm, while some vehicles even have personal DVD players and screens in each bunk.

Well known bands such as Bon Jovi or U2 may use as many as seven or eight sleeper buses on their tours to accommodate the many road crew required. These bands rarely travel on the bus though; they use air transport or limousines or a luxury splitter Tour Bus, leaving their crew members to travel by bus. Smaller, less well-known bands will usually travel on the bus along with their tech crew.

Sleeper coaches have come a long way since the old days when ex-National Express coaches were retired into sleeper coach use. Nowadays, the leading companies are buying new coaches, which after fitting out, cost over £350,000 (US$535,000), though the rates for these coaches are not much more than conventional coaches.

Both in the United Kingdom and the United States, there has been an increase of expectations: TV and video games in every bunk, 3G internet access, coffee machines, wide memory foam mattresses, decent air conditioning, etc.


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