Thanking the bus driver in Fortnite is primarily a courtesy that originated from a popular meme, but it has since been integrated into the game's mechanics to provide a small amount of XP and help complete specific quests. It is a ritualistic start to each match for many players, embodying a positive and community-oriented attitude in an otherwise competitive battle royale. The driver's identity remains a mystery within the official lore, though various fan theories and in-game hints provide clues.
The origin of a meme turned tradition
The "thank the bus driver" feature was added to Fortnite in 2018 in response to a community-led movement and meme that gained traction on Reddit. It was a lighthearted way for players to show courtesy to the unseen character who ferries them to the battlefield. The popularity of the idea convinced the game's developer, Epic Games, to add the small but beloved function to the game.
Gameplay implications and rewards
While it doesn't offer a major competitive advantage, thanking the bus driver offers tangible, albeit minor, benefits.
- XP rewards: It grants a small amount of Experience Points (XP) each time it is performed. This XP contributes to advancing your Battle Pass tiers and unlocking new cosmetic items.
- Milestone and weekly quests: On occasion, Epic Games introduces quests that specifically require players to thank the bus driver multiple times across different matches. These quests offer a more substantial XP reward upon completion.
- No reason not to: Since it takes only a single button press at the start of a match and is a "free" source of XP, there is no real downside to doing it.
The mysterious bus driver's identity
The identity of the Battle Bus driver is a long-standing mystery and the subject of much fan speculation. The driver is an unseen character, but bits of in-game lore and developer decisions have fueled several theories.
| Candidate | Evidence and explanation |
|---|---|
| Tomatohead | In a 2018 loading screen celebrating Fortnite's birthday, the iconic Tomatohead skin was shown in the driver's seat. In-game data also suggests the bus driver's birthday is the same as the game's, aligning with this theory. |
| Lars | A Chapter 2 questline featured the character Farmer Steel telling players to "respect your elders" after thanking the bus driver, leading many to believe it was Lars from the Save the World campaign. Both characters also use Vindertech technology. |
| Piper Pace | A loading screen featuring the character Khaby Lame showed Piper Pace, a member of the Imagined Order, in the driver's seat. The Imagined Order has been a key organization in the Fortnite lore. |
| The Bus Itself | Some players theorize that the Battle Bus drives itself, similar to a Transformer, particularly after a Transformers collaboration pack introduced a skin based on the vehicle. |
| An older Jonesy or Ramirez | Other popular fan theories suggest the driver is an older version of the default skins Jonesy or Ramirez. The fact that every player loads in as a version of Ramirez before applying a skin fuels this idea. |
| Marcus Kincaid (from Borderlands) | During a crossover event with the game Borderlands, the character Claptrap would sometimes say "Thanks Marcus!" when a player thanked the driver. Marcus is the bus driver in the Borderlands games. |
How to thank the bus driver
The process is a simple, quick action performed at the start of every match before you jump out of the bus.
- PC: Press the B key.
- PlayStation/Xbox/Switch: Press Down on the D-pad.
- Mobile: Tap the emote button.
After you press the button, a message will appear in the bottom-left feed, confirming that you have thanked the driver.