Coach Service

The original meaning of the term coach was that of a horse-drawn vehicle designed for the conveyance of more than one passenger — and of mail — and covered for protection from the elements. The small Hungarian town of Kocs (pronounced "kotch") was the place of manufacture, from the 15th century onwards, of an exceptionally well designed example of such a vehicle with durable and comfortable suspension and steering; and from the Hungarian word kocsi (meaning "from Kocs") the name spread to several other European languages (compare Spanish coche and German Kutsche).

Overview

In British English and Australian English, the term coach is used to refer to a large motor vehicle for conveying passengers. It is similar to a bus but is usually more comfortable and designed for longer-distance travel or touring.

The term coach appears in the formal names of many such firms in the US, though most people still call them bus lines.

There are two category of motor coach: long distance inter-city coach service, and urban-suburban bus line.

Intercity coach service

Intercity coach service is in competition with other means of long-distance travel, including but not limited to trains, planes, and automobile. Thus, to make the trip comfortable, most often these coaches have reclinable upholstered seats, carry a toilet, and are air-conditioned. Many other equipments are designed similarly to an airliner, with storage bins for carry-on luggage, small tables for small snacks, small televisions to show TV shows and/or videos, and individual lighting which enables passengers to choose whether to read at night or to sleep. Likewise, there are luggage storage below the floor, accessible from outside panels. Due to the fact that it is designed for long distance travel (instead of having to take on and discharge many passengers for very short runs), it is very rare for a motor coach to have more than one door, save for a wheelchair-lift access, and there are usually no standing room, especially on inter-city services.

This version of coach is also the common vehicle among charter service, touring industries, and private ownership. Prices for travelling by coach are usually cheaper than other modes of long distance transportation.