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I want to describe the network of routes in my city and I want to talk about the buses that serve different routes. So there are two types of buses, the normal bus (with one wagon), and the one with two wagons:

Every route has over 35 stops and served by normal or articulated bus.

Can I use this form normal or articulated bus?

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  • If you're speaking to an American, probably no - I've never heard those expressions. – Alex K Dec 11 '15 at 8:55
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    In Britain they are better known as a bendy bus. – Chenmunka Dec 11 '15 at 8:59
  • @AlexK - In New York City, articulated bus is what we call them. For example, MTA NYC Transit Introduces New Articulated Bus into SBS service I think the term just isn't very common because these buses aren't very common either. – stangdon Dec 11 '15 at 12:53
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    @TheBook - You would have to say Every route has over 35 stops and is served... because "served" is a past participle, which works like an adjective. – stangdon Dec 11 '15 at 12:54
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Articulated bus has the specific meaning of a bus which is contiguous (you can walk from end to end), but bends in the middle (to get around corners). In London, these buses are also referred to as bendy buses.

A normal bus would be referred to as just a bus, since the norm is that busses are not articulated.

Not to be confused with an articulate bus which would be a bus that is well-spoken, if it were to exist.

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    In London, all busses are well spoken. Except the cockney ones. They can be hard to understand. – Joseph Rogers Dec 11 '15 at 11:05
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    Maybe because there's no rhyme for bus? Cheers me old china! – Peter Dec 11 '15 at 11:31
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According to Wikipedia, the terms in use include "rigid bus", "non-articulated bus", and "standard bus".

The term "rigid bus" is not used in American English, where the distinction is commonly made using the term "non-articulated" bus or, when the context is clear, "standard" bus. However, the expression "standard bus" can be confusing, because it is sometimes used, in other English speaking countries, to refer to a uniform bus design developed for and by a number of European bus manufacturers, in two model generations, between the 1960s and the end of the 20th century. (Wikipedia, "Rigid bus")

Make your choice.

Since your example sentence provides enough context for the reader to guess that a non-articulated bus is being contrasted with an articulated bus, I guess you could safely use standard.

If every route is served by one bus only:

Every route has over 35 stops and is served either by a standard or an articulated bus.

If every route is served by several buses of one type:

Every route has over 35 stops and is served by either standard or articulated buses.

If every route is served by several buses of different types:

Every route has over 35 stops and is served by standard and articulated buses.

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