Editing Bus (section)

==Use of retired buses==
[[File:EM-leyland-tow-truck-1.jpg|thumb|right|Retired bus in Israel used as a tow truck (2008)]]

Most public or private buses and coaches, once they have reached the end of their service with one or more operators, are sent to the [[wrecking yard]] for breaking up for [[scrap]] and [[spare part]]s. Some buses which are not economical to keep running as service buses are often converted for use other than revenue-earning transport. Much like old cars and trucks, buses often pass through a [[Car dealership|dealership]] where they can be bought privately or at auction.

Bus operators often find it economical to convert retired buses to use as permanent [[training bus]]es for driver training, rather than taking a regular service bus out of use. Some large operators have also converted retired buses into tow bus vehicles, to act as [[tow truck]]s. With the outsourcing of maintenance staff and facilities, the increase in company [[health and safety]] regulations, and the increasing [[curb weight]]s of buses, many operators now contract their towing needs to a professional [[vehicle recovery]] company.

[[File:Toronto EMS bus.jpg|thumb|left|A retired bus is used for an ambulance bus in [[Toronto]] (2014)]]

Some buses that have reached the end of their service that are still in good condition are sent for export to other countries.

Some retired buses have been converted to static or mobile cafés, often using historic buses as a [[tourist attraction]]. There are also catering buses: buses converted into a mobile [[Canteen (place)|canteen]] and [[Coffee break|break room]]. These are commonly seen at external [[filming location]]s to feed the cast and crew, and at other large events to feed staff. Another use is as an emergency vehicle, such as high-capacity [[ambulance bus]] or mobile [[command center|command centre]].

Some organisations adapt and operate [[playbus]]es or learning buses to provide a [[playground]] or learning environments to children who might not have access to proper play areas. An ex-London [[AEC Routemaster]] bus has been converted to a mobile theatre and [[Runway (fashion)|catwalk fashion show]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/aug/16/theatre.londonlistings1 Event preview: Fashion Bus On The Square, London] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623120021/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/aug/16/theatre.londonlistings1 |date=23 June 2021 }} ''The Guardian'', 16 August 2008</ref>

Some buses meet a destructive end by being entered in [[banger racing|banger races]] or at [[demolition derbies]]. A larger number of old retired buses have also been converted into mobile holiday homes and campers.

===Bus preservation===
[[File:MTT-AECRegalVI-BPSWA.JPG|thumb|right|Preserved 1965 AEC Regal VI formerly operated by the [[Metropolitan Transport Trust]] in [[Perth]]]]

Rather than being [[wikt:scrapped|scrapped]] or converted for other uses, sometimes retired buses are saved for preservation. This can be done by individuals, volunteer preservation groups or charitable trusts, museums, or sometimes by the operators themselves as part of a [[heritage fleet]]. These buses often need to be [[Conservation and restoration of road vehicles|restored]] to their original condition and will have their livery and other details such as internal notices and [[rollsign]]s restored to be authentic to a specific time in the bus's history. Some buses that undergo preservation are rescued from a state of great disrepair, but others enter preservation with very little wrong with them. As with other historic vehicles, many preserved buses either in a working or static state form part of the collections of [[List of transport museums|transport museums]]. Additionally, some buses are preserved so they can appear alongside other period vehicles in television and film. Working buses will often be exhibited at rallies and events, and they are also used as charter buses. While many preserved buses are quite old or even vintage, in some cases relatively new examples of a bus type can enter restoration. In-service examples are still in use by other operators. This often happens when a change in design or operating practice, such as the switch to one person operation or low floor technology, renders some buses redundant while still relatively new.