Minibus
Encyclopedia
Motor vehicle
A motor vehicle or road vehicle is a self-propelled wheeled vehicle that does not operate on rails, such as trains or trolleys. The vehicle propulsion is provided by an engine or motor, usually by an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor, or some combination of the two, such as hybrid...
that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
, but fewer people than a full-size bus
Full-size bus
A full-size bus is a classification of buses which are identified as longer than midibuses, this is, more than ....
. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of between 8 and 30 seats. Larger minibuses may be called midibus
Midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which generally are larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long...
es. Minibuses are typically front-engined
Front-engine design
A front-mounted engine describes the placement of an automobile engine in front of the vehicle passenger compartment.Historically, this designation was used regardless of whether or not the entire engine was behind the front axle line...
step-entrance vehicles, although low floor minibuses do exist.
Usage
Minibuses are used for a variety of reasons. In a public transportPublic transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
role, they can be used as fixed route transit bus
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
es, airport bus
Airport bus
An airport bus, or airport shuttle bus or airport shuttle is a bus or coach used to transport people to/from, or within airports. These vehicles will usually be equipped with larger luggage space, and incorporate special branding....
es, flexible demand responsive transport
Demand responsive transport
Demand Responsive Transport or Demand-Responsive Transit or Demand Responsive Service or Dial-a-ride or Flexible Transport Services is "an advanced, user-oriented form of public transport characterised by flexible routing and scheduling of small/medium vehicles operating in shared-ride mode...
vehicles, share taxis or large taxicab
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
s. Accessible minibuses can also be used for paratransit
Paratransit
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also share taxis and jitneys are important providers....
type services, by local authorities, transit operators, hospitals or charities. Private uses of minibuses can include corporate
VIP
VIP and V.I.P. is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:-In general:* Vacuum insulated panel* Values, Influence, and Peers, an anti-crime campaign in Ontario elementary schools* Variable Information Printing, a form of on-demand printing...
transport, charter buses, tour bus
Tour bus
A tour bus service is a bus service that takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around tourist attractions. Double-decker buses and/or open top buses are commonly used, for their good views....
es. Schools, sports clubs, community groups and charities may also use minibuses for private transport. Individual owners may use reduced seating minibuses as cheap recreational vehicles.
Types
By size, microbuses are minibuses smaller than 8 metre long. MidibusMidibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which generally are larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long...
es are minibuses bigger than microbuses but smaller than plenibuses (full-size bus
Full-size bus
A full-size bus is a classification of buses which are identified as longer than midibuses, this is, more than ....
es).
There are many different types and configurations of minibuses, due to historical and local differences, and usage. Minibus designs can be classified in three main groups, with a general increase in seating capacity with each type:
- Van conversions. Simple, optional extras
- Body builds
- Purpose built
Van conversions
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
design. Conversions may be produced completely by the van manufacturer, sold as part of their standard model line-up, or be produced by specialist conversion companies, who source a suitably prepared base model from the van manufacturer for final completion as a minibus.
Van conversions involve adding windows to the bodywork, and seating to the cargo area. Van conversion minibuses outwardly look the same shape as the parent van, and the driver and front passenger cabin remains unchanged, retaining the driver and passenger doors. Access to the former cargo area for passengers is through the standard van side sliding door, or the rear doors. These may be fitted with step equipment to make boarding easier. Optional extras to van converted minibuses can include the addition of a rollsign for transit work, and/or a full-height walk-in door, for passenger access to the former cargo area. For public transport use, this door may be an automatic concertina
Concertina
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
type. For other uses, this may be a simple plug style coach door. Depending on the relevant legislation, conversions may also involve wheelchair lifts and tachograph
Tachograph
A tachograph is a device fitted to a vehicle that automatically records its speed and distance, together with the driver's activity selected from a choice of modes. The drive mode is activated automatically when the vehicle is in motion, and modern tachograph heads usually default to the other work...
equipment. A van conversion with a passenger area in the front and a storage area in the back, behind a fixed bulkhead, is called a splitter bus
Splitter Tour Bus
Splitter tour buses are specially converted vehicles commonly used by bands to travel on tour. Their principal defining feature is a bulkhead placed halfway down the vehicle, in front of which are situated seats for carrying passengers and behind which is an area for storing equipment...
.
Examples of vans used for these conversion minibuses are:
- Ford TransitFord TransitThe Ford Transit is a range of panel vans, minibuses, and pickup trucks, produced by the Ford Motor Company in Europe.The Transit has been the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe for 40 years, and in some countries the term "Transit" has passed into common usage as a generic term...
- Mercedes SprinterMercedes-Benz SprinterThe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light and heavy commercial vehicle, built by Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a van, chassis cab and minibus, and sold as a Mercedes model, except in the U.S. where it is built from complete knock down kits and was sold by Freightliner until 2010 when Mercedes...
- Toyota HiaceToyota HiaceThe Toyota HiAce is a motor vehicle produced by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota. First launched in 1967, the HiAce has since been available in a wide range of configurations, including minivan and minibus, van, pick-up, taxi, and ambulance....
- VolkswagenVolkswagen Commercial VehiclesVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles , , is a German manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group....
CrafterVolkswagen CrafterThe Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen LT truck, which has been in production since 1975....
Body builds
Second stage manufacturer
A second stage manufacturer, known in the industry as "bodybuilder," builds such products as bus and truck bodies, ambulances, motor homes, and other specialized vehicles....
to build a specific body for fitting to a semi-completed van or light truck chassis. These allow a higher seating capacity than a simple van conversion. Often, the second stage manufacturer is a bus manufacturer
Bus manufacturing
Bus manufacturing is a specific sector of the automotive industry, which carries out the manufacturing of buses and coaches.-History:Bus manufacturing had its earliest origins in carriage building. Other bus manufacturers had their origins in truck manufacturing...
.
In a body-on-chassis minibus, a cabin body is installed on a van or light truck chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
encompassing the drivers area. These designs may retain some outward signs of the original van, such as the hood
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
and grill
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
. Other designs are visually a complete bus design, and it is merely the chassis underneath that is from the van design.
The body-on-chassis approach gives the advantage of higher seating capacity, or more room for passenger comfort, through a larger cabin area. There is also the advantage of being able to have the drivers seat positioned in a small cubicle, next to the main passenger entrance, allowing the driver to collect fares in a transit bus role.
Examples of body built minibuses are:
- BusetteBusetteThe Wayne Busette was the first small school bus designed on a cutaway van chassis. A product of Wayne Corporation of Richmond, Indiana, first developed in 1972, the Busette utilized a van chassis equipped with dual rear wheels...
(cut away chassis) - Optare CityPacerOptare CityPacerThe Optare CityPacer was a minibus body, typically seating 25, produced by Optare from 1985 to 1992. It was based on a Volkswagen LT55 van chassis which at the time was not available in the UK...
(visually complete bus based on a van chassis)
Examples of vehicles used for this type of minibuse are:
- Ford TransitFord TransitThe Ford Transit is a range of panel vans, minibuses, and pickup trucks, produced by the Ford Motor Company in Europe.The Transit has been the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe for 40 years, and in some countries the term "Transit" has passed into common usage as a generic term...
- Freight RoverFreight RoverFreight Rover was a British commercial vehicle manufacturer based in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom.-History:The company was created as a division of the Land Rover Group of British Leyland in 1981, creating a new single brand for BL's panel van business.Under later company organisation...
- Isuzu ElfIsuzu ElfThe is a light duty truck produced by Isuzu. Outside Japan it is known as N-series.The range was primarily available in Japan, Hong Kong and some other Asian countries, and since the late 1980s, also in the United States, Chile, Colombia , and Peru The is a light duty truck produced by Isuzu....
locally built as the NQR bus
Purpose built
Bus manufacturing
Bus manufacturing is a specific sector of the automotive industry, which carries out the manufacturing of buses and coaches.-History:Bus manufacturing had its earliest origins in carriage building. Other bus manufacturers had their origins in truck manufacturing...
, although large automotive groups also produce their own models. These designs are often available in long high capacity versions, and may attract different designations, such as midibus
Midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which generally are larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long...
, or light bus.
Examples of purpose built minibuses are:
- Hino LiesseHino LiesseThe Hino Liesse is a minibus built by Hino. The range was primarily available as city bus and tourist coach.- Liesse II :The Hino Liesse II is a rebadged Toyota Coaster.*KC-HZB/HDB/BB40/50 *KK-HZB/HDB/BB40/50 *PB-XZB40/50...
- Isuzu JourneyIsuzu JourneyThe Isuzu Erga Journey is a minibus built by Isuzu. The range was primarily available as city bus and tourist coach.- Models :The Isuzu Journey W40 and W41 are rebadged Nissan Civilian.*BL/BE Series *W40 Series...
- MCW MetroriderMCW MetroriderThe MCW Metrorider, launched by MCW at the 1986 Motor Show, was a midibus designed built by Metro Cammell Weymann between 1986 and 1989. Constructed in two lengths, 7.0 m and 8.4 m, the Metrorider was an integral bus, marking it out from its van-based rivals of the time.It was the second...
(also termed a midibusMidibusA midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which generally are larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long...
) - Nissan Diesel RNNissan Diesel RNThe Nissan Diesel RN is a one-step light-duty bus built by Nissan Diesel. The range was primarily available as city bus.- Models :*KC-RN210CSN - FE6E engine *KK-RN252CSN - FE6F engine...
- Nissan CivilianNissan CivilianThe Nissan Civilian is a minibus built by Nissan & UD. It is primarily available as city bus and tourist bus.In Japan, Asia-Pacific, Mid-East, Africa, South America, its principal competitors are Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa, Isuzu Journey and Toyota Coaster.-General information:Nissan Civilian is sold...
- Mitsubishi Fuso RosaMitsubishi Fuso RosaThe Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa is a minibus built by Mitsubishi Fuso.In Japan, Asia-Pacific, Mid-East, Africa, and South America, its principal competitors are the Isuzu Journey, Nissan Civilian, and Toyota Coaster.-Body types:...
- Toyota CoasterToyota CoasterThe Toyota Coaster is a minibus produced by Toyota Motor Corporation. It was introduced in 1969, with the second generation introduced in 1982, followed by the third generation in 1993...
Low floor minibuses
- Orion Bus IndustriesOrion Bus IndustriesOrion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975...
"Orion II" - Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Midi MEMitsubishi Fuso Aero MidiThe Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Midi is a medium-duty bus built by Mitsubishi Fuso. It is primarily available as city and sightseeing buses.Its principal competitors are Isuzu Erga Mio, Nissan Diesel Space Runner RM and Hino Rainbow....
- Optare SoloOptare SoloThe Optare Solo is a low-floor midibus manufactured by Optare in Leeds, UK since 1997. The name "Solo" is a play on the low-floor status of the bus, the manufacturer believing its vehicle having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm with kneeling suspension.The innovative...
(termed a midibus) - Optare AleroOptare AleroThe Optare Alero was a low-floor integral minibus built by Optare between 2001 and 2008. It was built as an alternative to van-derived buses such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.Around 300 were built in the first five years of production...
- Hino PonchoHino PonchoThe is a non-step low-floor minibus built by Hino.- First generation :The Poncho first generation was based on the Fiat Ducato chassis.*VF3ZCPMAC- Second generation :...
(1st generation front-enginedFront-engine designA front-mounted engine describes the placement of an automobile engine in front of the vehicle passenger compartment.Historically, this designation was used regardless of whether or not the entire engine was behind the front axle line...
, 2nd rear-enginedRear-engine designIn automobile design, a rear-engine design layout places the engine at the rear of the vehicle. The center of gravity of the engine itself is past the rear axle...
) - Nissan Diesel RNNissan Diesel RNThe Nissan Diesel RN is a one-step light-duty bus built by Nissan Diesel. The range was primarily available as city bus.- Models :*KC-RN210CSN - FE6E engine *KK-RN252CSN - FE6F engine...
(some models have a low floor middle entrance) - Bluebird Tucana (full length low flat floor from Bluebird Vehicles Ltd)
- Bluebird Auriga (tri-axle design)
Driving license
Some countries may require an additional class of driving licenceDriver's license
A driver's license/licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Most U.S...
over a normal private car licence, and some may require a full commercial driver's license
Commercial driver's license
A Commercial Driver's License is a driver's license required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lb or more for commercial use, or transports quantities of hazardous materials that require warning placards under Department of...
. The need for such a license may depend on:
- Vehicle weight or size
- Seating capacity
- Driver age
- Intended usage
- Additional training (such as the Minibus Driver Awareness SchemeMinibus Driver Awareness SchemeThe Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme, usually abbreviated to MiDAS, is a training and registration scheme for drivers of minibuses in the UK....
in the UK)
See also
- Public light busPublic light busA Public light bus is a common public mode of transport in Hong Kong. It mainly serves the area that standard Hong Kong bus lines cannot reach as efficiently. It is also colloquially known as a minibus or a van, defined as a kind of share taxi....
es - minibuses in Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... - Short busShort Bus (disambiguation)Short Bus may refer to:* Short Bus, a shorter school bus generally used for transporting children being educated in special programs in the United States* Shortbus, a movie* Short Bus , an industrial recording by Filter...
- school buses smaller than full-size buses - PeseroPeseroA pesero is a form of public transport, most commonly seen in Mexico City. Its name derives from the fact that the first incarnations of this form of transport charged a flat fee of one peso per ride .First seen in the 1970's as the so-called taxi colectivo , peseros were originally...
- minibuses operating as regular buses in MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, especially in Mexico CityMexico CityMexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. - MarshrutkaMarshrutkaMarshrutka , from marshrutnoye taksi is a share taxi in the CIS countries, the Baltic states, and Bulgaria. Marshrutnoye taksi literally means routed taxicab...
- routed taxicabs operating in Eastern EuropeEastern EuropeEastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
and the former Soviet Union - VW Microbus
- List of buses