Double-Decker Bus Coloring Page: Free Printable PDF

Double Decker Bus: History & Fun Facts

Horse-Drawn Roots of the Double-Decker

Double-decker buses trace back to horse-drawn omnibuses of the 1850s in London, which added bench seating on the roof once city officials realized a second level could carry far more riders without needing a longer, wider vehicle. Motorized double-deckers replaced the horse-drawn versions in the early 1900s, keeping the same two-level idea but adding an engine and, eventually, an enclosed upper deck.

Why Two Levels Beat a Longer Bus

Stacking seats vertically lets a double-decker carry roughly twice the passengers of a single-level bus of the same length, which matters enormously on narrow city streets where a longer bus simply would not fit around tight corners. The open rear platform seen on many classic double-deckers let riders hop on and off quickly at busy stops without waiting for a folding door to cycle.

The Double-Decker as a City Symbol

London's red double-decker became such a recognizable symbol of the city that tourists photograph it as often as the Tower Bridge or Big Ben, and versions of the design now carry passengers in cities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Modern double-deckers use lightweight materials and low-emission engines to keep the classic two-level shape practical for today's crowded urban routes.