To play the bus in multiplayer, a server must be running that all players connect to. This is a separate application that must be installed and run.

This server may be run locally on your own pc or remote on a server host.

On most modern CPU's it should be possible to run a server alongside the game. To do so search for The Bus - Dedicated Server in your steam library. You may need to enable the tools search option at the top.

(skip this section if you plan to host on your own PC via Steam directily)

For installing on a remote pc you will want to use Steam CMD to install and update the server.

The appid is 507320. To Install the beta version append "-beta beta"

To start the server, run TheBus/Binaries/Win64/TheBusServer.exe.

Use the following startup parameters for optimal performance and usage. "TheBusServer.exe -log -newconsole -useperfthreads"

You can also change the port with a parameter e.g. -port=7778

Once started at the bottom of the output there should be something like.
"Server can be reached with the GUID: "KASJDLASJDSLKJASLD" (this is an example ID)

You can connect to your server using this id. Rightclick the line and copy line.

Paste it into the add server window ingame.

In the top right of the console there are 2 downwards brackets. Clicking these opens up the option to run commands. This option is only available on Winodws. For Linux see below:

Run the command "commands" to see all options.

As the server owner you should give yourself owner permission. To do so, join the server once and then run the "owner <playername>" command. The server will print that the player now has owner permissions.

Ingame you can now see additonal options in the Admin Menu (accessible through the pause menu).
Here you can configure everything from Server Name to the Map and Operating Plan used on the server.
You should also set an admin password so not everyone has access to the admin menu (admins are not asked for password again when entering the admin menu).

There are now 4 permission levels for players
- owner
- admin
- moderator
- user

Players can be promoted or demoted with the "owner" "admin" "mod" "user" commands ingame or from the console. Players who access the admin menu ingame are automatically granted admin permissions.


Linux:
On Linux there is currently no way to run commands from the console. Instead go to
/TheBusDedicatedServer/TheBus/Saved/PlayerData.json and manually change your rank to "Owner" and restart.

To install mods navigate to the install directory of the server under TheBusDedicatedServer/TheBus/Mods.

Copy any mods that you want to run on the server into that folder. Mods are always activated on servers if they are compatible.

Mods downloaded from the Steam Workshop can be found under "SteamLibrary/steamapps/workshop/content/491540".

Mods have a flag which determines how loading of mods between client and server will be handled.

When flagged as "Client and Server" the mod needs to be installed on both sides for a successful connection.

When flagged as only client, the mod may be used on the client at all times, but when this mod is installed on the server all clients are also required to install this mod.

When flagged as server the mod may be installed on the server and will be deactivated on the client before joining.