Bus tubs go by several names in commercial foodservice: bussing tubs, bus boxes, dish tubs, and utility tubs are all terms used for the same rectangular plastic container used to clear and transport dirty dinnerware from the table to the dishroom.
The term "bus tub" comes from the role of the busser — the restaurant staff position responsible for clearing tables. In institutional settings like school cafeterias and hospital dining, the same containers are often called dish tubs or utility tubs. The name varies by region and operation type, but the product specs stay consistent: a rectangular polypropylene container with reinforced handles, typically in the 6- to 9-gallon capacity range, built to handle the weight of stacked plates, glassware, and silverware in a busy service environment.
- Common alternate names for bus tubs: bussing tubs, bus boxes, dish tubs, utility tubs.
- Krollen Industrial bus tubs are 9-gallon capacity, measuring 20 × 15 × 7 inches.
- Bus tub material is polypropylene (PP), which is lightweight, rigid, and freezer-safe.
- Bus tubs are sold in 6-packs to cover a standard full-service restaurant floor rotation.