Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Buses

Friday Video: Where Was the First Public Bus Route in the World?

...and which surprising historical figure helped launch it?

How long, exactly, have the wheels on the bus been going round and round? If you include "shared, publicly available horse-drawn carriages running on a fixed route" under the umbrella of the term "bus," the answer is actually a lot longer than you think — and you'll never guess which surprising historical figure was involved in launching the whole thing.

Check out this video from British YouTuber Tim Traveler, who travels to the likely birthplace of public transit in Paris and even takes a ride. And along the way, he learns how one of history's most famous mathematicians, inventors, and philosophers may also be able to add one more accolade to his resume: "father of the bus."

Give it a watch, and then dive into the comments for more examples of early transit that might challenge Paris for the title.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

The New Uber-Backed Car Insurance ‘Reform’ Push Is Actually A War On Crash Victims

New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to limit payouts to crash victims under the guise of "affordability" and bogus claims about "staged crashes."

February 13, 2026

Friday’s Headlines Are Full of Hot Air

They done done it, as we say in the South: The Trump administration's official policy now is that climate change poses no threat to human health.

February 13, 2026

Talking Headways Podcast: Concrete Doesn’t Spend Money, People Do

Dr. Lawrence Frank shows how the decisions we make about the built environment are a symbol of why the world is so f'd up. A very special edition of Talking Headways.

February 12, 2026

Why Does Trump Wants To Punish Cities For Free Buses?

Hint: it's probably not to make anyone's transportation network better!

February 12, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines Come Together

A large coalition is urging Congress to protect funding for active transportation.

February 12, 2026
See all posts