der  Linienbus

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈliːni̯ənˌbʊs/

🚌 What exactly is a Linienbus?

A Linienbus is a public transport vehicle, specifically a bus, that operates according to a fixed schedule on a predetermined route (a Linie). It primarily serves local public transport (Personennahverkehr) within cities or regions.

The article is always der because the base word Bus is masculine (der Bus).

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar on the Fast Lane: Der Linienbus

The noun "Linienbus" is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Der nächste Linienbus kommt in fünf Minuten.
  (The next scheduled bus arrives in five minutes.)
• Ich nehme oft den Linienbus zur Arbeit.
  (I often take the scheduled bus to work.)
• Die Fahrpläne der Linienbusse wurden geändert.
  (The schedules of the scheduled buses have been changed.)
• Warte auf mich an der Haltestelle des Linienbusses Nummer 5!
  (Wait for me at the stop for the number 5 scheduled bus!)

In Daily Life: When does the next Linienbus leave?

The term Linienbus is used to differentiate this type of bus from others like Reisebusse (coaches for longer trips), Schulbusse (school buses), or Charterbusse (charter buses).

• Context: Mainly in public local transport (ÖPNV - Öffentlicher Personennahverkehr).
• Typical Usage: Talking about Fahrpläne (schedules), Routen (routes), Haltestellen (stops), costs of Fahrkarten (tickets).
• Differentiation: Unlike a Reisebus (coach), which is often more comfortable and used for tourist trips or long-distance travel, the Linienbus travels fixed, usually shorter routes at regular intervals. A Stadtbus (city bus) is often a Linienbus, but the term emphasizes the location (city), while Linienbus highlights the function (fixed line/route).

🧠 Memory Aids for the Bus Stop

Article Mnemonic: The base word is der Bus. Since buses often seem large and strong, think of something masculine: Der Bus, and therefore also der Linienbus.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Linienbus always follows a specific Linie (line/route) on the map. Like on a drawn line, it dutifully travels its route.

🛤️ Similar Yet Different: Synonyms & Opposites

⚠️ Caution: Not every bus is a Linienbus! A Reisebus (coach) or Fernbus (long-distance bus) also follows a route, but is usually not called a Linienbus, as the focus is on longer distances and fewer stops.

😄 A Little Bus Joke

Ein Fahrgast fragt den Busfahrer: "Entschuldigung, fährt dieser Bus auch zum Zoo?"
Antwortet der Busfahrer: "Nein, tut mir leid, Sie müssen schon selbst fahren wie alle anderen auch!"

Translation:
A passenger asks the bus driver: "Excuse me, does this bus also drive (go) to the zoo?"
The bus driver replies: "No, sorry, you have to drive yourself like everyone else!" (A pun on 'fahren' meaning both 'to go/travel' and 'to drive').

📜 Poem: The Linienbus

Auf fester Spur, bei Tag und Nacht,
hat er uns sicher heimgebracht.
Von Haltestelle zu Haltestelle,
fährt der Linienbus auf die Schnelle.
Er folgt der Linie, seinem Plan,
fängt pünktlich seine Route an.
Ein treuer Diener in der Stadt,
der viele Menschen befördert hat.

Translation:
On a fixed track, by day and night,
it brought us safely home alright.
From stop to stop, quick and fast,
the scheduled bus journey is cast.
It follows the line, its own plan,
starts its route punctually, man.
A faithful servant in the town,
carrying many people up and down.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich hab ’ne Nummer, folg’ ’nem Plan,
halte an vielen Ecken an.
Ich bring’ dich hin, ich bring’ dich her,
durch Stadt und Land, kreuz und quer.
Ich fahre eine feste Strecke,
Tag für Tag, in Stadt und Flecke.
Was bin ich wohl, sag’s mir ins Ohr?

Translation:
I have a number, follow a plan,
I stop at many corners, man.
I take you there, I take you here,
through city and country, far and near.
I travel a fixed route, you see,
day after day, in town and lea.
What am I, tell me in my ear?

Solution: der Linienbus (the scheduled bus)

🧐 Interesting Facts about the Linienbus

• Word Composition: The word is a compound of "Linie" (meaning route, line) and "Bus".
• Types: There are different types of Linienbusse, e.g., the standard bus, the Gelenkbus (articulated bus - longer, with a joint in the middle), or the Doppeldeckerbus (double-decker bus - common in large cities like London or Berlin).
• Environment: Modern Linienbusse increasingly rely on more environmentally friendly propulsion systems such as electric, hybrid, or hydrogen technology.