Big Bus Tours, is the largest operator of open top bus sightseeing tours founded in May 2011 after "Les Cars Rouges" and the "Big Bus Company" merged. The company operates in 20 cities of 11 countries with more than 150 buses around the world. The United States is the country with the largest number of cities with Big Bus Tours service. Typically, Big Bus Tours use open top double-decker buses in burgundy and cream-coloured livery.
History
"Les Cars Rouges" was founded in 1990 by Abdallah El Azm in Paris, France. Over the course of the next two decades, it went on to operate in Paris, Rome, Washington DC, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Miami, and Istanbul. The "Big Bus Company" first started operating in London, England in June 1991 with four buses by the Maybury family. It later expanded to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Philadelphia, and so on. "Les Cars Rouges" and "the Big Bus Company" merged in May 2011, and formed "Big Bus Tours". Les Cars Rouges was the larger of the two companies, but for international namesake purposes, the name "Big Bus" was retained. In May 2007, the Abu Dhabi company the Al Fahim Group purchased a 30% shareholding. In February 2015, the business was sold to Exponent Private Equity. In February 2016, Merlin Entertainments bought a 15% shareholding.
Overview of operation
Buses travel near major landmarks around the town or city it tours. Pre-recorded or live commentary about the landscape is provided through small headphones worn by each passenger. Users may leave the bus and board again without limit at special bus stops on a circular route. In large cities, buses go on more than one route. In some cities some variants of the ride include travelling by boat.
On 15 December 2008, The Big Bus Hong Kong was established. With the largest fleet of open-top buses in the city, it serves three sightseeing routes: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Stanley. The tour offers a wide range of packages which include free travel on the Peak Tram, entry to the Sky Terrace on Victoria Peak, a traditional Sampan ride, and a Star Ferry harbour tour.
Originally, the fleet was built up with former route service double deckers that were converted to open top for a second life. AEC Routemasters, Daimler Fleetlines, Leyland Atlanteans and Leyland Titans were all used during the 1990s. These were replaced by 3-axle Dennis Condors, Leyland Olympians and MCW Metrobuses purchased from Hong Kong. The depot is in Wimbledon. In 2008, 10 East Lancs Visionaire bodied Volvo B9TLs were purchased. These were followed by 26 Optare Visionaire-bodied Volvo B9TLs and 3-axle Ankais.
Image:Big Bus Company Shield.jpg|The Big Bus Company shield on the side of a vehicle Image:Big Bus Company DA1.JPG|East Lancs Lolyne bodied Dennis Trident 2 in London Image:HK Central Ferry Piers Big Bus Company NR4579-06.JPG|The Big Bus Company in Hong Kong Image:PK2908 Big Bus Tour Hong Kong Island 18-07-2017.jpg|The Big Bus Company in Hong Kong Image:上海旅游节观光车.jpg|The Big Bus Company in Shanghai File:13-08-06-abu-dhabi-by-RalfR-033.jpg|The Big Bus Company in Abu Dhabi Image:BM10176A Big Bus Tours Aberdeen Sampan Ride 22-04-2019.jpg|The Big Bus Company in Hong Kong
