Anyone who has closely followed our recent announcement about the future of The Bus DLC – Hamburg City might have already spotted a small hint in the news image about what’s to come:

In The Bus DLC – Hamburg City, Line 7 heads north!

The map is being expanded, and work on it is already in full swing.

The new route will run from the Barmbek U- and S-Bahn station further north.
The roundabout there could already be seen in the announcement image.
North of the roundabout, several lines run further into the north, and one of them – Line 7 – is now being built.

Line 7 will end in Steilshoop. This district, part of the Wandsbek borough, has many faces.
On one hand, from the late 1960s onwards, high-rise housing was built here for more than 20,000 people; on the other, it is also a green oasis with parks, abundant trees, sports facilities, and allotment gardens.

Here, too, Hamburg lives up to its reputation as a very green city.

The journey on Line 7 takes you through the more urban Barmbek area, past shops, restaurants, residential areas, and commercial zones, towards Steilshooper Allee.
After a short stretch there, the bus turns east into Gustav-Seitz-Weg.
It then passes through a roundabout from which parts of the Steilshoop shopping center can be seen, and continues into Gründgensstraße, named after German actor Gustav Gründgens.

Shortly before Borchertring, the bus reaches its terminus, also called Borchertring.
There, the bus has its own loop with a layover area, providing enough space to turn around before starting the return trip to Barmbek.

We are continuously working on our popular Hamburg City DLC for The Bus.

Since it’s an add-on, some features depend on expansions to the main game – and one particularly exciting topic is the AI buses you will encounter along your routes.

In the current beta version of The Bus, AI buses are now available for all Public Beta players in Berlin to test.
At the moment, however, this only applies to the main game with the Berlin bus lines – the Hamburg area has not yet been integrated.

Why AI buses in Hamburg still need to wait

Currently, using AI buses on Hamburg lines leads to numerous issues:

• AI bus drivers get stuck at objects they could otherwise avoid

• Some turn incorrectly or take curves unnaturally

• Certain paths are not used as expected

Behind the scenes, adapting the AI buses requires extensive work: roadside objects, other AI vehicles, and special driving paths all need to be checked, changed, and optimised – and this for each bus individually.

We are also currently working with a different editor version than in Berlin, which requires additional adjustments and unfortunately takes time.

Important note for the Public Beta

In the current beta version of the main game, there are some route errors on the Hamburg map, such as missing road sections, absent curbs, and gaps or incorrect areas on pavements.
These problems are caused by the different versions of the main game and the add-on.

Our recommendation: Do not play Hamburg City in the Public Beta at the moment to avoid these issues.

Looking ahead

Once the adjustments are complete, your virtual colleagues will automatically be running on Hamburg’s lines 6 and 17.
Intersecting lines will not be possible at first, but they are planned for a later main game update – and will then also be implemented in Hamburg.

Further information on the work on the virtual Hamburg map will follow soon.
Stay tuned – and until then, we hope you continue to enjoy your time in the northern German metropolis with The Bus!

The Bus DLC – Hamburg City: New version now available on Steam

A new version of our popular Hamburg City DLC for The Bus is now available for download on Steam.
This update brings initial optimisations and adjustments to the Hamburg map.
Existing installations can easily be updated via Steam.

In addition to the ongoing improvement of the map and testing of new main game features such as AI buses, we are already working intensively on upcoming expansions.
More on this very soon.
One current focus is the different lamp types that have been individually modelled for Hamburg – these will be added to the game shortly.

Changelog of the current version:

• Revised parking at Goldbekplatz

• Added lighting to underground entrances at Steinstraße and Hauptbahnhof

• Adjusted road traffic between Zimmerstraße and Averhoffstraße

• Added footprints for AI pedestrians in certain areas

• Various smaller optimisations

• Additional bus stop positions for creating your own routes:

  • Hauptbahnhof/ZOB

  • Kurt-Schumacher-Allee (towards Hauptbahnhof)

  • Arrival stop Brandstwiete

Installation noteIf the update does not start automatically:
Simply go to your Steam library, click on Downloads, and then press the download button next to The Bus.

Important note:
The Hamburg City DLC can only be displayed correctly with the retail version of The Bus.
You should by no means play the DLC with The Bus Beta 3.2, as this will inevitably cause errors.

Update 3.2 of the Early Access version of The Bus is now available as a BETA for testing.

Join us live on Twitch[twitch.tv] now for a first look at the Beta UPDATE!

This beta introduces AI buses to The Bus.

You’ll find the full list of changes in the changelog below.

⚠️ Please create backups of your savegames before switching to the EA BETA update.
Savegames may not be compatible with the new version.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This is a BETA update. Technical issues, game instability, or gameplay bugs may occur.

It's simple:

1. In your Steam library, right-click on The Bus

2. Select "Properties" from the menu

3. In the The Bus - Properties window, go to the "BETAS" tab

4. Under "Select the beta you would like to opt into:", choose "beta-beta"

5. Close the window – the beta update should begin downloading automatically

6. Once the update is installed, click "PLAY" to start The Bus

7. The new beta version number should now be displayed in the main menu, and you can begin testing

• Added AI buses

• Added standing passengers

• Added articulation damping

• Speed-dependent steering is now automatically disabled for steering wheels

• Road elements now generate force feedback

• Passengers no longer get stuck in doors

• Passengers no longer enter through closed doors

• Fixed rain in articulated buses

• Servers can now require specific DLCs to join

• Occupied seats are now synced in multiplayer

• Passengers can switch to external camera by jumping

• Admins and moderators now appear colored in chat

• Temporary bans added

• Servers can now be started with current time

• Various level art fixes

• Performance improvements

• Fixed AI Busses spawning with wrong text on line display

• Fixed AI Busses deactivating collision of ground

• Fixed several crashes

This only applies within the BETA test of this update.

⚠️ Please note: The effects of performance improvements may vary depending on your system, hardware configuration, installed software, and other background processes.

With the release of our first expansion for the bus simulator The Bus, the Hamburg chapter is far from over – quite the opposite! Today, we’d like to give you a brief update on what’s happening behind the scenes and what you can look forward to next. 

Since the release, we’ve continued to receive valuable reports via TML’s reporting system – thank you to everyone contributing! Some of these reports relate to the DLC itself, while others concern the base game. We carefully review each message and are working continuously to fix issues and implement improvements in upcoming updates. 

The next big step is just around the corner: TML will soon include the feature for AI-controlled buses in a beta version of the game. Then it's time for us to test – especially on the Hamburg lines! 

Particular attention will be paid to challenging spots like the turning loop at Borgweg – a real test of skill, even for human drivers. Winterhude also features some tight sections that need close inspection and, if necessary, adjustments to the AI paths. Our goal: a smooth and realistic AI driving experience throughout the map. 

Once the AI buses are running flawlessly, they’ll arrive in Hamburg with a future update – as soon as TML officially enables the feature. 

Many of you have asked whether there will be further expansions for the Hamburg map after release. The answer is: yes! 

We’re continuing to work on the map beyond bug fixes, with new content and ideas already being evaluated. Some plans have been in place since the start of the project, others are currently being reviewed for feasibility. Once we’re ready to reveal more, we’ll be sure to let you know! 

At the moment, we’re not planning to add new drivable buses to the game through this DLC. In The Bus, maps and buses are released as separate expansions. That said, bundles via Steam could be a possibility in the future – once a dedicated bus editor becomes available. For now, a bus DLC isn’t feasible without the necessary tools. 

So yes – things are still moving forward in Hamburg! 

To stay up to date, follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our Telegram channel, or check our website regularly.

We’re excited to continue this journey together with you!

Tune in for an exciting new episode of SimDevLive with Léon & Timo from TML! 🎬

🔹 Stream Topic:

We’ll take a closer look at AI Bus Lanes in The Bus!

Learn how these lanes are created to ensure smooth traffic flow and that all buses drive correctly through the city. 🚌💡

Join us on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 4:30 PM CEST – live on Twitch:

📺 https://twitch.tv/tml_flashbass

🚍 Welcome to Hamburg – The new add-on for The Bus is here! 🏙️⚓

The Hanseatic city is calling – and The Bus is answering the signal. With the Hamburg City add-on, you’ll experience Hamburg from the perspective of a bus driver, driving through leafy residential areas, lively city centers, and past iconic landmarks such as the TV Tower, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, and the historic Speicherstadt. Two lines, two characters – an authentic piece of Hamburg.

Watch the official trailer here:

🛣️ Two lines, two experiences

• Line 6: Start at Borgweg underground station, drive through elegant Winterhude, past Hamburg’s main station, and arrive in the impressive Speicherstadt – a UNESCO World Heritage Site included.

• Line 17: Begins at Feldstraße (right next to the green bunker), passes through urban St. Pauli and Winterhude, before ending in Barmbek. Along part of the route, it runs parallel to Line 6 – two paths that meet and yet remain distinct.

Both lines showcase Hamburg from different perspectives – sometimes calm and green, sometimes urban and vibrant.

🏗️ Hamburg recognizable at every corner

More than 200 brand-new, detailed 3D objects and around 300 customized buildings created with The Bus building tool bring the city to life like never before:
Warehouse buildings, bridges, underground & suburban train stations, modern glass facades, and typical Hamburg details such as red trash bins with North German humor or the iconic bike sheds in Uhlenhorst.
Special moments included:
🚆 Long-distance trains cross through Hamburg Central Station, S-Bahn trains run through Barmbek, and U-Bahn trains intersect your route. The city is alive – and you’re right in the middle of it.

🌉 Every stop an original

Over 60 bus stops, each with faithfully recreated shelters, ticket machines, stop poles, and digital displays. More than 40 bridges connect the districts – every structure unique and unmistakable.

Here’s what awaits you in the Hamburg City add-on:

• Two authentic lines (Line 6 & 17) with up to 45 minutes of driving time

• Over 500 unique objects, 200 of them newly created

• Typical Hamburg: landmarks, markets, circuses, harbor flair, and much more

• A lively railway world with U-Bahn, S-Bahn, regional and long-distance trains

• Hochbahn mods included – with authentic interiors & liveries

• Officially licensed in cooperation with Hamburger Hochbahn AG

🎟️ Now available on Steam
→ Get the add-on here[links.aerosoft.com]

Just 1 Day left!

Tomorrow the brand-new Hamburg City DLC for The Bus will be released! 🚌

With this add-on, you’ll experience Hamburg from the perspective of a bus driver. Two exciting routes take you through green residential areas, the bustling city center, and past world-famous landmarks – right into one of Germany’s most beautiful cities.

Add it to your wishlist now![links.aerosoft.com]

To give you a first look, we’ve prepared some brand-new screenshots:

Dear Community,

The time has come – the next big stop on our roadmap is just around the corner:
The Hamburg City DLC for The Bus will be released on July 31, 2025!

Explore the Hanseatic city behind the wheel of your bus, drive along realistic routes, and discover faithfully recreated landmarks. Hamburg is waiting for you!

🎉 There will also be a launch discount!

The regular price of the Hamburg City DLC will be €29.95. During the first week after release you can get the DLC for only €26.95 – that’s around 10% off!

Get ready to take the driver’s seat – see you in Hamburg! 🚌

➡ https://links.aerosoft.com/TheBusHamburg