Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) is a SWAT officer in the LAPD who has a penchant for the unconventional and crazy solution. When Traven and his partner thwart the plans of Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) to extort money by an elaborate bombing scheme he becomes very angry. Before long Payne is back to get Traven and the city with another scheme, after planting a bomb on one bus that Traven watches explode outside of his local coffee shop. He receives a call from Payne telling him that there is another bus with a bomb. When Traven finds the bus he tries to stop it from reaching the critical speed that will trigger the bomb, when he is unsuccesful he must find another way to save the bus. Working with the passengers and the driver Traven and the rest of the SWAT team work feverishly to save the bus. When the driver is accidentally shot another passenger, Annie (Sandra Bullock) must take over at the wheel. It is a high speed race between Payne and Traven and the rest of the SWAT to save the day.