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

Report: Traffic Injuries Increase Near Amazon Last-Mile Warehouses

Injuries are increasing near last-mile warehouses and advocates want to change the model for more accountability.

November 18, 2025

Breaking: Trump Admin Seeks To Decimate Federal Transit Funding

"When you're talking about taking away money from transit, your proposal is flawed from the get-go," said one expert.

November 18, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Lost the Battle but Won the War

A Politico long read details how bureaucracy slowed down but couldn't stop the conversion to EVs.

November 18, 2025

Report: Biden Infrastructure Bill Spurred Increase in State and Local Highway Spending

The Urban Institute found an overall increase in capital investment in ground transportation — mostly on highways — and flat investment in public transit.

November 17, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Remember

Fifty U.S. cities and others around the globe memorialized the victims of traffic violence on Sunday.

November 17, 2025
See all posts