Short answers to the questions people ask most about The Bus servers on PlayNHost. Each answer links to the full guide.
How do my friends join?
With the server GUID. Copy it from the Console line Server can be reached with the GUID after the latest start and paste it into the add server window in The Bus. How to join your The Bus server
Why does the IP address not work?
The Bus finds dedicated servers by ID, not by IP address: the developer's Update 3.0 changelog says "Servers can now be found via ID instead of IP". The Server Address and Join button on the Overview page give the IP address, so send the GUID instead. The Bus server problems and fixes
Can PlayStation or Xbox players join?
No. Multiplayer in The Bus is PC only, and the developer's release FAQ says it "is not available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S." Can PlayStation or Xbox players join a The Bus server?
Does every player need to own The Bus?
Yes. Each player needs their own copy of The Bus on PC, and the same DLCs as the others to share DLC content. The server needs no copy: PlayNHost installs The Bus Dedicated Server from Steam, which needs no game licence.
How many players can join?
Up to your plan's limit: 10, 16 or 20 players. The panel writes it into ServerSettings.cfg, so it is a real cap. How many players can a The Bus server have?
How much RAM does a The Bus server need?
About 489 MiB with nobody on, in PlayNHost's own test in September 2026. The 8 GB on the Steam page is for players' PCs. How much RAM does a The Bus server need?
What should I change first on a new server?
The Admin Password. A new server starts with one you did not choose, and it opens the Admin Menu with full admin rights. Set your own under Settings, Game Settings, at least 8 characters. How to set the admin password on your The Bus server
How do I become owner?
Join once, stop the server, change your rank to Owner in TheBus/Saved/PlayerData.json under Files, then start it. The developer's guide says running the owner command in the server console only works on Windows. How to become owner or admin on your The Bus server
Can I use the Console or RCON?
The Console shows what the server prints, but commands typed there do not reach a Linux The Bus server, and The Bus has no RCON. You run the server from Settings in the panel and from the Admin Menu in the game's pause menu. How to start your The Bus server for the first time
How do I change the map or operating plan?
In the Admin Menu in the game, or in the TheBus/Settings/ServerSettings.cfg card under Settings. How to change the map, weather and operating plan of your The Bus server
Can I add Workshop mods?
Yes, by hand. Subscribe on your PC, then upload the mod folders into TheBus/Mods and restart. The server does not download Workshop mods itself. How to add mods to your The Bus server
Does the server update itself?
Yes, at every start, while Auto Update is on (the default). After a The Bus patch, restart once. How to update your The Bus server
Is my server backed up?
Yes, every night with the Automatic backup schedule when your plan includes backups. A backup keeps your settings, player data, saves and mods, not the game files. How to back up and restore your The Bus server
Why did my setting change back?
The panel writes Server Name, Server Password, Admin Password, Show In Server List and Maximum Players into ServerSettings.cfg at every start, over any change made in the game. Change those five in the panel. How to change your The Bus server settings
