Bus simming in Roblox is more engaging than I expected

I’ve just driven my first route in Croydon: London Bus Simulator, and the twenty minute ride has transformed the way I think about Roblox. Although the complete absence of AI traffic is a big pill to swallow if your usual PCV plaything is OMSI or City Transport Simulator, the quality and size of Croydon’s map, the choice of vehicles available, and the way in which they behave, combine rather effectively to discourage snobbish sneering.

If you’ve created a free Roblox account purely to play Croydon: LBS, you’ll start with enough in-game credits to purchase your very own Enviro200 single-decker.

Usable on any of the fifty available routes, the 200 comes with a cosy cab, kneeling capability, and a fully functioning announcements system. More importantly, it registers kerb collisions, and its engine note, turning circle, and acceleration and braking characteristics, basically ring true.

Complementing the appealing omnibuses, is a surprisingly extensive and faithful recreation of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s home town.

Yes, the lack of random pedestrians, cars, and vans gives every street and junction an early-Sunday-morning appearance, but passing buses, and stops busy with quirky, ticket-purchasing NPCs, mean your surroundings aren’t completely lifeless.

I’m not quite sure why I haven’t encountered any trams yet. I think I’m right in saying, you don’t need to purchase a subscription for Croydon+, in order to see, board, and operate Tramlink services.

I believe you don’t need to spend actual money to start up a Roblox bus company either. Buying credits with Robux rather than grinding them by driving services, does mean you can expand your garage and customise your fleet quicker. While I’m pleasantly surprised by Croydon’s sophistication, I’m also pretty content with traditional PC bus and tram sims at present. If I do end-up with a double-decker or tram in my garage, it will have been bought with honest sweat rather than R$.