Whether a child can sit on a lap on a bus in 2026 depends entirely on the type of bus and the local laws of the region. On standard urban public transit buses (like those in New York, London, or Sydney), it is generally permitted and often required if the bus is crowded, as these vehicles rarely have seatbelts or car-seat anchors. Most transit agencies allow children under the age of 5 to ride for free if they do not occupy a separate seat. However, on long-distance motorcoaches (such as Greyhound or FlixBus) and private shuttle vans, the rules are becoming much stricter for safety. Many modern 2026 motorcoaches are equipped with three-point seatbelts, and safety experts strongly recommend that children have their own ticketed seat and use a certified child restraint system (CRS) or car seat. In some jurisdictions, it is actually illegal for a child to be unbuckled on a highway-traveling bus. Always check the specific "Terms of Carriage" for your bus operator, as some may refuse boarding to an infant without a proper safety seat for interstate or high-speed journeys.