Is it buses or busses in the UK?

The Great British Bus-iness: Is it ‘Buses’ or ‘Busses’?

The humble bus, a ubiquitous sight on British streets, a lifeline for commuters, and a colourful symbol of urban life. But even with something as familiar as a bus, a simple question can arise: when talking about more than one, do we spell it ‘buses’ or ‘busses’?

The short answer, and the one you’ll find plastered across transport timetables and bus stop signs throughout the UK, is buses. That single ‘s’ at the end is the generally accepted and preferred plural form in British English. You’ll see it in newspaper articles, hear it on the radio, and read it in novels set across the British Isles.

Think of it this way: ‘bus’ becomes ‘buses’ just like ‘house’ becomes ‘houses.’ It’s a straightforward application of the most common rule for pluralizing words ending in ‘s.’ This preference extends beyond the UK, shared by our linguistic cousins in Australia and New Zealand. So, if you’re Down Under, you’re waiting for “buses,” not “busses.”

However, the alternative spelling, ‘busses,’ isn’t entirely wrong, or unheard of. It just leans heavily towards American English. Across the pond, ‘busses’ is a more acceptable, though still somewhat less common, variant.

Why the difference? Well, the English language is a constantly evolving beast, and regional variations are part of its charm. While grammatical rules provide a framework, common usage ultimately dictates what sticks. In the UK, ‘buses’ has consistently won out in the popularity contest, establishing itself as the standard and readily understood plural.

So, the next time you find yourself discussing public transport, queuing for a ride, or simply admiring the red double-deckers trundling down the road, remember: in the UK, the correct and most widely used plural of ‘bus’ is ‘buses.’ While ‘busses’ might be understood, sticking with ‘buses’ ensures you’re speaking the language of the British bus stop, and avoiding a potential transatlantic spelling faux pas. Happy riding!