Printed timetables listed these route numbers, but buses and bus stop signage instead displayed "BRT".

With the abolishment of the BRT branding (see below) on December 22, 2023, buses and bus stops are now showing the relevant route number.

The term Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is used to define high-standard bus services with features such as: exclusive right of way or bus-only lanes to minimise journey times and provide predictable travel times, traffic signal priority, high capacity & frequent services, platform-level boarding and off-board ticketing.

[10][11] Explaining why the BRT branding was being removed from the Niigata BRT, the Urban Transportation Policy Division of Niigata City stated "in our city, we call systems with articulated buses and dedicated running paths BRT",[7] and "many issues have been identified with the dedicated running paths in past social experiments"[7] in explaining why no bus lanes had been installed as there had been many complaints from car drivers and other road users.

[5][13] They feature a striking red livery with black & grey stripes below the windows and signage for BRT and Niigata City Bus Rapid Transit.

All other services (rapid and local) are operated by standard Niigata Kotsu Hino, and Mitsubishi/Fuso buses with only a small red and white BRT sign placed on the front of the bus under the windscreen.