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Coaches and buses are both passenger vehicles, but they are used for different purposes and have different characteristics:

Definitions

Bus: Usually used for public transport, it is a large motor vehicle that carries passengers. In cities or suburbs, there are fixed routes and designated bus stops, providing a convenient and economical way for people to travel.

Coach: A bus designed for passengers travelling long distances, with spacious, reclining seats, more luxurious features and a higher level of comfort than a regular bus.

Uses

Bus: Generally used for short-distance public transport such as daily commuting, school buses, city routes, etc., requiring frequent stops and good accessibility.

Coach: generally used for long distance travelling such as inter-city travelling, touring, private charters.

Facilities

Bus: Configured with basic amenities such as basic seating, standing room, multiple doors for quick boarding, and minimal amenities.

Coach: Configured with luxury amenities such as reclining seats, seat belts, air conditioning, luggage storage, Wi-Fi, toilets, and sometimes refreshments.

Design

Bus: Designed with less legroom for more efficient passenger loading and equipped with simple interiors.

Coach: designed primarily for a comfortable long-distance travel experience, with fewer doors, more legroom, and multiple luxury amenities.

Terminology

In the UK, ‘coach’ refers explicitly to long-distance services, while ‘bus’ refers to local services.

In the United States, both may be referred to as ‘buses,’ while ‘motorcoach’ refers to the long-distance model.

While the terms coach and bus coach may overlap regionally, their functions and features are usually different. A motorcoach possesses the characteristics of a comfortable, long-distance vehicle and is a specialised type of bus vehicle, but not all buses are motorcoaches.