The evolution of LEGO school buses – from Friends to LEGO Fortnite
The past eight years have been huge for LEGO buses, from debuting school buses in the portfolio to taking them skyward in LEGO Fortnite.
Before 2016, most LEGO buses resembled those commonly seen in Europe and other parts of the world with a cuboid shape, but that has shifted over the past years as several themes have offered their take on the iconic design of yellow school buses.
It’s likely to come as welcome news for enthusiasts where this bus design is common and for everyone else, watching the builds be introduced and evolve over the past few years has been a sight to behold. Suffice it to say there has been a varied mix of appearances and features, matching their respective themes.
Here’s a closer look at how the design of LEGO school buses has changed over the years, from 2016 to 2024 and the debut of LEGO Fortnite later this year.
7 – 41134 Heartlake Performance School
Theme: Friends Price: £74.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 Pieces: 774 Release year: 2016
June 2016 saw the introduction of the first yellow LEGO school bus in LEGO Friends 41134 Heartlake Performance School. Its standout design feature is the splash of pink that isn’t common for real buses of this make. Surprisingly, it’s one of only two LEGO school sets to feature this kind of bus too.
6 – 40216 School Bus
Theme: Monthly in-store set Price: In-store giveaway Pieces: 65 Release year: 2016
September 2016’s monthly miniature model given away in LEGO stores was 40216 School Bus, offering the smallest take on the iconic bus design but improving the accuracy from 41134 Heartlake Performance School’s iteration.
5 – 10744 Thunder Hollow Crazy 8 Race
Theme: Cars 3 Price: £29.99 / $34.99 / €39.99 Pieces: 191 Release year: 2017
10744 Thunder Hollow Crazy 8 Race is the first of many licensed sets on this list with Cars 3’s Miss Fritter offering the LEGO designers a chance to get creative with the recognisable school bus design. Just don’t question what purpose a school bus has in a world of sentient cars.
4 – 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000
Theme: Hidden Side Price: £54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99 Pieces: 689 Release year: 2019
Two years after the Cars 3 set, LEGO Hidden Side brought us the most accurate yellow LEGO school bus set so far in 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000. Apart from the ghost-fighting modifications, this build is a sizable and realistic take on the iconic vehicle.
3 – 60329 School Day
Theme: City Price: £74.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 Pieces: 433 Release year: 2022
LEGO City’s 60329 School Day from 2022 features a school bus, matching the vehicle in 41134 Heartlake Performance School without the pink colouring. This bus features ramp access and space for some of the school’s students. Hopefully, the driver doesn’t mind taking multiple trips in the morning and afternoon.
2 – 71460 Mr. Oz’s Spacebus
Theme: DREAMZzz Price: £84.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 878 Release year: 2023
71460 Mr. Oz’s Spacebus just earns a space on this list, though undoubtedly as the least accurate LEGO school bus design so far. This LEGO DREAMZzz set is a remixed version of a school bus crossed over with a spaceship, befitting the dream-centric theme. It’s not quite as accurate as the likes of 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000 by design.
1 – 77073 Battle Bus
Theme: Fortnite Price: £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 954 Release year: 2024
77073 Battle Bus is the latest LEGO school bus to be designed and while it’s not exactly a school bus, there’s no doubt that the Fortnite vehicle takes heavy inspiration from real vehicles, but with an added hot air balloon and technology to help it soar. Aside from that and the blue colour scheme, this bus might be more accurate than LEGO Hidden Side’s take on the vehicle. The LEGO Fortnite set is available to pre-order now.
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Author Profile
- LEGO has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started when my brother passed down 7657 AT-ST to me. It’s guided me through my early years, through school and eventually through my degree in journalism. I still have all my collection proudly on display, including my many NINJAGO sets, my favourite of all the LEGO Group’s themes. Outside of Brick Fanatics I am an avid gamer and enjoy a good game of Dungeons & Dragons.
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