The bus versus tram debate dominates Croydon London Bus Simulator grinding discussions. Both vehicle types earn points through different mechanics — buses via per-passenger ticket revenue, trams via per-stop flat rates. This guide compares economics, playstyle, and requirements so you can choose the optimal grinding vehicle.
Bus Point Economics
Buses earn 3-6 points per boarding passenger depending on operator XP upgrades, plus 3 points per alighting passenger, plus 5 points per on-time stop departure. A busy rush hour route with 10 passengers per stop across 20 stops can yield 600-900+ points. Buses are accessible to all players through free operators listed on our free buses page.
Tram Point Economics
Trams earn a flat 15 points per stop departed, increasing to 20 when on time. No ticket issuance required — trams skip the dashboard ticket workflow entirely. On a 15-stop tram route with perfect timing, that is 300 points minimum. Pro replacement routes guarantee 3-15 passengers for atmosphere but tram income is stop-based, not passenger-based.
Access Requirements
Trams require Croydon Pro for TR1-TR3 route access plus a purchased tram vehicle. Buses need only free operator access. Evaluate Pro cost against tram efficiency on our worth-it page.
Playstyle Differences
Buses offer variety — hundreds of models, custom company liveries, night routes, and shift participation. Trams provide streamlined grinding on fixed networks with less micro-management. Simulation Server roleplayers often prefer buses for realism; pure grinders often prefer trams.
Verdict
Pro subscribers with tram access should test both during rush hour and compare hourly totals using our calculator. Free players should master bus economics first. Watch the video comparison below for side-by-side route testing including an end-of-video race.