A The Bus server on PlayNHost takes up to 10, 16 or 20 players at once, depending on the plan you pick. The panel writes that number into the game's ServerSettings.cfg as maxPlayerCount before every start, so it is a real, enforced limit. You can set a lower number at any time.
Where do I see my server's player limit?
On your server's Overview page, the Slots row shows the limit. The same number is Maximum Players under Settings, Game Settings. To change it: How to change player slots on your The Bus server.
Is the limit enforced by the game?
Yes. The panel's own note on the Game Settings card says: "Max Players is a real, enforced cap written into ServerSettings.cfg." The value is written before every start, so a change in the game's Admin Menu does not raise it past what the panel sets.
PlayNHost also creates ServerSettings.cfg when it installs your server. Without that, The Bus's own default on a first start is a 10 player limit, and your plan's number would only apply from the second start.
Can I set a lower limit?
Yes. Any number from 1 up to your plan's limit. A smaller limit keeps a server for a small group, even on a bigger plan.
How many players can The Bus itself handle?
The developer does not publish a maximum number of players for a dedicated server. The Update 3.0 changelog lists "Fixed 16 max player limit" among its fixes, and PlayNHost's plans go up to 20. PlayNHost has not tested a server full of players.
Do all players need the game?
Yes. Each player needs The Bus on PC. Multiplayer is not available on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, according to the developer's release FAQ: Can PlayStation or Xbox players join a The Bus server?
Plans and their player counts: The Bus server hosting. Memory use: How much RAM does a The Bus server need?
