![Minibus ZET Zagreb](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Minibus_ZET_Zagreb.jpg)
A minibus, microbus, minicoach, or commuter (in
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...
) is a passenger-carrying
motor vehicle
A motor vehicle, also known as motorized vehicle or automotive vehicle, is a self-propelled land vehicle, commonly wheeled, that does not operate on Track (rail transport), rails (such as trains or trams) and is used for the transportation of pe ...
that is designed to carry more people than a
multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a
full-size bus. In the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger-carrying
van or
panel truck
A panel truck (also called a panel delivery or pickup truck-based van) in U.S. and Canadian usage is a small delivery truck with a fully enclosed body. It typically is high and has no rear windows in the rear cargo area. The term was first used ...
. Minibuses have a
seating capacity
Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that ...
of between 12 and 30 seats. Larger minibusses may be called
midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
es. Minibuses are typically front engine step in vehicles, although
low floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i. ...
minibuses do exist and are particularly common in Japan.
Minibuses may range in price from £2000 to nearly £100,000.
History
It is unknown when the first minibus vehicle was released but it is possible that the first one was the 1935-1955
Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of automobiles built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The name started in 1934 for the 1935 U.S. model year, making it the longest continuously used automobile nameplate in production. It has tra ...
or the
Volkswagen Transporter
The Volkswagen Transporter, based on the Volkswagen Group's T platform, now in its seventh generation, refers to a series of vans produced for over 70 years and marketed worldwide.
The T series is now considered an official list of Volkswagen Gr ...
, even though the Suburban is thought by most to be an
SUV
A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a car classification that combines elements of road-going passenger cars with features from off-road vehicles, such as raised ground clearance and four-wheel drive.
There is no commonly agreed-upon definiti ...
, the first generation to the third generation could have theoretically be classified as minibusses today.
Usage
Minibuses are used for a variety of reasons. In a
public transport
Public transport (also known as public transportation, public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) is a system of transport for passengers by group travel systems available for use by the general public unlike private transport, typical ...
role, they can be used as fixed route
transit bus
Transit may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film
* ''Transit'' (1979 film), a 1979 Israeli film
* ''Transit'' (2005 film), a film produced by MTV and Staying-Alive about four people in countries in the world
* ''Transit'' (2006 film), a 2006 ...
es,
airport bus
An airport bus, or airport shuttle bus or airport shuttle is a bus used to transport people to and from, or within airports. These vehicles will usually be equipped with larger luggage space, and incorporate special branding. They are also comm ...
es, flexible
demand responsive transport
Demand-responsive transport (DRT), also known as demand-responsive transit, demand-responsive service,
US National Trans ...
vehicles,
share taxis
Share may refer to:
* Share, to make joint use of a resource (such as food, money, or space); see Sharing
* Share (finance), a stock or other financial security (such as a mutual fund)
* Share, Kwara, a town and LGA in Kwara State, Nigeria
Share m ...
or large
taxicab
A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a 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 is the term used in North America, also known by other names such as community transport ( UK) for transportation services that supplement fixed-route mass transit by providing individualized rides without fixed routes or timetables. ...
type services, by local authorities, transit operators, hospitals or charities. Private uses of minibuses can include
corporate
A corporation is an organization—usually a group of people or a company—authorized by the state to act as a single entity (a legal entity recognized by private and public law "born out of statute"; a legal person in legal context) and re ...
transport, charter buses,
tour bus
A tour bus service is an escorted tour (sometimes a package holiday) or bus service that takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around tourist attractions.
Information
Double-decker buses and open top buses are commonly used, for providin ...
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
A recreational vehicle, often abbreviated as RV, is a motor vehicle or trailer that includes living quarters designed for accommodation. Types of RVs include motorhomes, campervans, coaches, caravans (also known as travel trailers and camper ...
.
Types
By size, microbuses are minibuses smaller than long.
Midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
es are minibuses bigger than microbuses but smaller than
full-size buses
Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment.
...
.
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
![AO52 LJF (4)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/AO52_LJF_%284%29.JPG)
The most basic source of minibuses is the van conversion, where the minibus is derived by modifying the existing
van 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
A destination sign (North American English) or destination indicator/destination blind (British English) is a sign mounted on the front, side or rear of a public transport vehicle, such as a bus, tram/streetcar or light rail vehicle, that dis ...
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
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It consists of expanding and contracting bellows, with buttons (or keys) usually on both ends, unlike accordion buttons, which are on the front.
The ...
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
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 ...
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.
Examples of vans used for these conversion minibuses are:
*
Fiat Ducato
The Fiat Ducato is a light commercial vehicle jointly developed by FCA Italy and PSA Group (currently Stellantis), and mainly manufactured by Sevel, a joint venture between the two companies since 1981. It has also been sold as the Citroën C25, ...
*
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is a family of light commercial vehicles manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since 1965, primarily as a cargo van, but also available in other configurations including a large passenger van (marketed as the Ford Tourneo in ...
*
Freight Rover Sherpa
*
GAZelle
A gazelle is one of many antelope species in the genus ''Gazella'' . This article also deals with the seven species included in two further genera, ''Eudorcas'' and ''Nanger'', which were formerly considered subgenera of ''Gazella''. A third f ...
*
Hyundai H350
The Hyundai H350, also known as the Hyundai Solati in South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam, and Hyundai Solati H350 in Mexico, is a light commercial 5-door van manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The vehicle was introduced at th ...
*
Iveco Daily
The Iveco Daily is a large light commercial vehicle, light commercial van produced by the Italy, Italian automaker Iveco since 1978; it was also sold as the Fiat Daily by Fiat Automobiles, Fiat until 1983. Unlike the more car-like unibody Fiat D ...
*
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light commercial vehicle ( van) built by Mercedes-Benz Group AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a large van, chassis cab, minibus, and pickup truck. In the past, the Sprinter had been sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, ...
*
Renault Master
The Renault Master is a large van produced by the French manufacturer Renault since 1980, now in its third generation. It replaced the earlier Renault Super Goélette light trucks. Opel has sold versions of the second and third series vans as ...
*
Toyota Hiace
The (pronounced "High Ace") is a light commercial vehicle produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. First launched in October 1967, the HiAce has since been available in a wide range of body configurations, including a minivan/ ...
*
Volkswagen Crafter
The Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest three- to five-ton van produced and sold by the German automaker Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The Crafter officially replaced the Volkswagen Transporter LT that was launched in 1975, ...
*
Tata Winger
The Tata Winger is a light commercial van produced by the Indian automaker Tata Motors in 2007. It is a rebadged version of the Renault Trafic Mk1 Phase 3 van, but fitted with Tata's own 2 litre diesel engines, competing with the Volkswagen Tra ...
Body builds
![Blue Bird Micro Bird MB-II by Girardin](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Blue_Bird_Micro_Bird_MB-II_by_Girardin.jpg)
Another method of building a minibus is for a
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.
Neither their product, nor the first stage portion, called an ''incomple ...
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, a sector of the automotive industry, manufactures buses and coaches.
History
Bus manufacturing had its earliest origins in carriage building. Other bus manufacturers had their origins in truck manufacturing. Historically, ch ...
.
In a body-on-chassis minibus, a cabin body is installed on a van or light truck
chassis
A chassis (, ; plural ''chassis'' from French châssis ) is the load-bearing framework of an artificial object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is a vehicle frame, the underpart ...
encompassing the drivers area. These designs may retain some outward signs of the original van, such as the
hood
Hood may refer to:
Covering
Apparel
* Hood (headgear), type of head covering
** Article of Academic dress#Hood, academic dress
** Bondage hood, sex toy
* Hoodie, hooded sweatshirt
Anatomy
* Clitoral hood, a hood of skin surrounding the clitori ...
and
grill. 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:
*
Busette (cut away chassis)
*
Optare CityPacer
The Optare CityPacer was a minibus body manufactured by Optare from 1985 to 1992.
Launched in November 1985, it was fitted to the Volkswagen LT55 chassis. A total of 294 were manufactured, with London Regional Transport purchasing 52.
Its pr ...
(visually complete bus based on a van chassis)
*
Plaxton Beaver
The Plaxton Beaver, originally known as the Reeve Burgess Beaver, is a minibus body built by Plaxton. It was built at the Pilsley, North East Derbyshire, Pilsley, Derbyshire factory of Plaxton's Reeve Burgess subsidiary from 1987 to 1991, at Plax ...
(built on the Mercedes-Benz T2 and later the Vario chassis)
Examples of vehicles used for this type of minibuses are:
*
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is a family of light commercial vehicles manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since 1965, primarily as a cargo van, but also available in other configurations including a large passenger van (marketed as the Ford Tourneo in ...
*
Freight Rover
Freight Rover was a British commercial vehicle manufacturer based in the Washwood Heath area of Birmingham, England.
History
Freight Rover was created as a division of the Land Rover Group of British Leyland (BL) in 1981, creating a new singl ...
*
Iveco Daily
The Iveco Daily is a large light commercial vehicle, light commercial van produced by the Italy, Italian automaker Iveco since 1978; it was also sold as the Fiat Daily by Fiat Automobiles, Fiat until 1983. Unlike the more car-like unibody Fiat D ...
*
Isuzu Elf
The is a medium duty truck produced by Isuzu since 1959. Outside Japan it is known as N series and Q Series. The range was originally mainly available in Japan and other Asian countries. Australia was another important market for the Elf and N ...
locally built as the NQR bus
Purpose built
A next generation approach to the van-derived or
cutaway chassis approach, is for manufacturers to produce an integral design, where the whole vehicle is purposely designed and built for use as a minibus. This is usually done by an integral
bus manufacturer
Bus manufacturing, a sector of the automotive industry, manufactures buses and coaches.
History
Bus manufacturing had its earliest origins in carriage building. Other bus manufacturers had their origins in truck manufacturing. Historically, ch ...
, 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
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
, or light bus.
Examples of purpose built minibuses are:
*
Hino Liesse
The Hino Liesse (kana:日野・リエッセ) is a step-floor minibus built by the Japanese automaker Hino Motors from 1995 to 2011. The range was primarily available as a city bus and a tourist coach.
Models
*KC-RX4JFAA (1995)
*KK-RX4JFEA ...
*
Isuzu Journey
The Isuzu Journey (kana:いすゞ・ジャーニー) is a minibus produced by the Japanese manufacturer Isuzu since 1970, and in 1973 in its current somewhat larger format. The range was primarily available as a city bus and a tourist coach.
...
*
MCW Metrorider
The MCW Metrorider, launched at the 1986 Motor Show, was a minibus designed built by Metro Cammell Weymann (MCW) 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 va ...
(also termed a
midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
)
*
Nissan Diesel RN
The Nissan Diesel RN (kana:日産ディーゼル・RN) is a one-step light-duty bus produced by the Japanese manufacturer Nissan Diesel
UD Trucks Corporation (UDトラックス株式会社, ''UD Torakkusu Kabushikigaisha'') is a Japanese compan ...
*
Nissan Civilian
The Nissan Civilian (kana: 日産・シビリアン, Shibirian) is a single-decker minibus built by Japanese automaker Nissan since 1971. It is primarily available as a public bus and an intercity bus. In Japan, it was exclusive to '' Nissan S ...
*
Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa
The Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa (kana: 三菱ふそう・ローザ) is a Japanese minibus based on the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. The Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa was launched in 1960 and is now in its fif ...
*
Toyota Coaster
The is a single-decker 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 and the fourth generation in late 2016. In Japan, the Coa ...
*
Karsan J9 Premier (Similar-looking ancestor
Peugeot J9
The Peugeot J9 is a van manufactured by Peugeot
Peugeot (, , ) is a French brand of automobiles owned by Stellantis.
The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was founded in 1810, with a steel foundry that soon started ...
is a van conversion)
*
Karsan J10
The Karsan J10 is a minibus produced by the Turkish manufacturer Karsan from 2010 to 2015.
Overview
It is the successor of the Karsan J9 Premier that was based on the platform of the 1980s' Peugeot J9. It is available in three capacity versio ...
*
Hyundai County
The Hyundai County (hangul:현대 카운티) is a single-decker minibus manufactured by the truck & bus division of Hyundai. It was introduced in 1998 as a successor to the Chorus. It is primarily available as city buses and tourist buses.
It ...
*
Daewoo Lestar
*
Renault Dodge S56
Groupe Renault ( , , , also known as the Renault Group in English; legally Renault S.A.) is a French multinational automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past has manufactured ...
Low floor minibuses
Following the development of
low-floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i.e ...
technology, some low-floor purpose built minibuses have been created. Some offer a low floor access through a centre door. Some short versions of low floor midibuses are sometimes also called minibuses.
*
Orion International
Orion Bus Industries, also known as Bus Industries of America in the United States, was a private bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
The company had its main manufacturing plant in Mississauga and sent bus body shells to t ...
"
Orion II"
*
Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Midi ME
*
Optare Solo
The Optare Solo is a low-floor minibus/midibus with one or two doors manufactured by Optare in the United Kingdom since 1998. The Solo name is a play on its low-floor status, the manufacturer marketing its vehicle as having an entrance that is ...
(termed a midibus)
*
Optare Alero
The Optare Alero is a Low-floor bus, low-floor GRP monocoque minibus that was built by Optare between 2001 and 2008. It was built as an alternative to minibus, van-derived buses such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Around 300 were built in the ...
*
Hino Poncho
The is a low-floor minibus produced by Hino Motors through the J-Bus joint venture.
First generation (2002-2005)
The first-generation Poncho was based on the Fiat Ducato chassis.
*VF3ZCPMAC (2002)
File:Tokyubus-kap10-hi23-20060302.jpg, Ponc ...
(1st generation
front-engined, 2nd
rear-engined
In 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 behind the rear axle. This is not to be confused with the center of gravity of the whole vehicle, as an im ...
)
*
Nissan Diesel RN
The Nissan Diesel RN (kana:日産ディーゼル・RN) is a one-step light-duty bus produced by the Japanese manufacturer Nissan Diesel
UD Trucks Corporation (UDトラックス株式会社, ''UD Torakkusu Kabushikigaisha'') is a Japanese compan ...
(some models have a low floor middle entrance)
*
Bluebird Tucana
The Mellor Tucana (previously known as the Bluebird Tucana) is a small wheelchair-accessible minibus manufactured by Mellor Coachcraft in England.
Tucana
The Bluebird Tucana entered production in 2005 fitted to the Volkswagen Transporter T5 c ...
(full length low flat floor from Bluebird Vehicles Ltd)
*
Bluebird Auriga
The bluebirds are a North American group of medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the order of Passerines in the genus ''Sialia'' of the thrush (bird), thrush family (Turdidae). Bluebirds are one of the few thrush genera in t ...
(tri-axle design)
*
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light commercial vehicle ( van) built by Mercedes-Benz Group AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a large van, chassis cab, minibus, and pickup truck. In the past, the Sprinter had been sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, ...
*
Karsan Jest
Regional variants
There are many different form of public transportation services around the world that are provided by using vehicles that can be considered as minibus:
*
Chiva bus
A chiva (Spanish for goat) or ''escalera'' (Spanish for ladder and stairs) is an artisan rustic bus used in rural Colombia. Chivas are adapted to rural public transport, especially considering the mountainous geography of the Andean region of t ...
in Colombia and Ecuador
*
Colectivo
''Colectivo'' (English: collective bus) is the name given in Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Paraguay to a type of public transportation vehicle, especially those of Argentina's capital city, Buenos Aires. The name comes from ''vehículos de tra ...
in southern South America
*
Community bus
A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, town ...
(Japanese コミュニティバス ''komiunitibasu'') in Japan (Include minibus and
midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
)
*
in Tanzania
*
Dollar van
A dollar van (also known as a jitney) is a privately-owned type of bus service used to carry passengers in the United States. Dollar vans are typically modified passenger vans, and often operate in urban neighborhoods that are under-served by pu ...
a.k.a. jitneys, in the United States.
*
Dolmuş
In Turkey and Northern Cyprus, dolmuş () are share taxis that run set routes within and between cities.
Background
Their name is derived from Turkish for "seemingly stuffed" referencing the fact that in days past these taxis were often filled t ...
in Turkey
*
Jeepney
Jeepneys (), sometimes called jeeps (), are minibus-like public utility vehicles, serving as the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and kitsch decorations, which have become ...
in the Philippines
*
Maeul-bus (Korean 마을버스) in South Korea
*
Marshrutka
''Marshrutka''[Matatu
In Kenya matatu or matatus (known as mathree in Sheng) are privately owned minibuses used as share taxis. Often decorated, many ''matatu'' feature portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. Likewise, the music they play is also aimed ...](_blank)
around Kenya
*
Minibus taxi
A minibus, microbus, minicoach, or commuter (in Zimbabwe) is a passenger-carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, ...
in South Africa, Ethiopia, see also
Taxi wars in South Africa
The term taxi war refer to the turf wars fought between taxi associations and individual minibus taxi drivers in South Africa from the late 1980s onwards
to the present.
The multi-billion rand minibus taxi industry carries over 60% of South Af ...
*
Pesero
A pesero, combi, micro or microbús is a form of public transport, most commonly seen in Mexico City. Its name derives from the fact that in the beginning of this form of transport a flat fee of one peso was charged per ride (hence the name "peser ...
, minibuses operating as regular buses in Mexico, especially in Mexico City.
*
Public light bus
The public light bus or minibus is a public transport service in Hong Kong. It uses minibuses to serve areas that standard Hong Kong bus lines cannot reach efficiently. The vehicles are colloquially known by the code-switch ' (Van Jái) lite ...
es, in Hong Kong.
*
Sherut in Israel
*
Songthaew
A songthaew ( th, สองแถว, , two rows, , ; lo, ສອງແຖວ, ; ms, dua baris) is a passenger vehicle in Thailand and Laos adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a share taxi or bus.
Overview
The songthaew take ...
around Thailand and Lao
*
Tap tap
''Tap taps'' ( ht, Taptap, ) are gaily painted buses or pick-up trucks with metal covers[Ha ...]
in Haiti
*
Tro tro
In Ghana and neighboring countries, tro tro are privately owned minibus share taxis that travel fixed routes leaving when filled to capacity. While there are ''tro tro'' stations, these vehicles for hire can also be boarded anywhere along the ...
around Ghana
*
Weyala
A weyala () is a conductor who receives fares on minibus share taxis in Ethiopia. He also has the duty of informing potential passenger
A passenger (also abbreviated as pax) is a person who travels in a vehicle, but does not bear any res ...
in Ethiopia
Driving licence
Some countries may require an additional class of
driving licence
A driver's license is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, or buses—on a public ...
over a normal private car licence, and some may require a full
commercial driving licence
A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles (including trucks, buses, and trailers) or a vehicle of any size that transports hazardous materials or more than 15 p ...
. The need for such a licence may depend on:
*Vehicle weight or size
*Seating capacity
*Driver age
*Intended usage
*Additional training (such as the
Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme in the UK)
In the UK the following information regarding Minibus driving licences is important:
"The holder of an ordinary car driving licence which was obtained prior to January 1997, once aged 21 years minimum, may drive a Minibus with a capacity of 16 passengers. Where the "ordinary car driving licence" is obtained after December 1996, they will have to take a separate test to drive a vehicle with a capacity of more than 8 passengers. However, there is an exemption for certain volunteer drivers, where the vehicle does not exceed 3500 kg GVW (or 4250 kg GVW if the vehicle is designed to be wheelchair accessible)
Driving licence source
A driving licence issued in
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
, Canada, for an equivalent of a
UK class B or class B-auto driving licence (in the case of Ontario, a class G licence), allows its holder to drive vehicles with:
11 tonnes maximum authorized mass, including trailers with 4.6 tonnes MAM6 tonnes MAM in certain cases
*passenger seating capacity o
9 or less
Anyone wanting to drive a vehicle in Ontario, with the same MAM limits as for class G vehicles, with fewer than 25, but at least 10, passenger seats, must obtain a bus licence. This licence will allow, for example, its holder to driv
that
Transport Canada
Transport Canada (french: Transports Canada) is the department within the Government of Canada responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of road, rail, marine and air transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportati ...
defines as large passenger vans.
Gallery
File:Samba(1).jpg, Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, known officially (depending on body type) as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, or, informally, as the Bus (US), Camper (UK) or Bulli (Germany), is a forward control light commercial vehicle introduced in 1950 by the Ge ...
"microbus"
File:GAZel-Marshrutka of Piteravto in Tosno.jpg, Russian GAZelle
A gazelle is one of many antelope species in the genus ''Gazella'' . This article also deals with the seven species included in two further genera, ''Eudorcas'' and ''Nanger'', which were formerly considered subgenera of ''Gazella''. A third f ...
marshrutka
''Marshrutka''[Ford E450
Ford commonly refers to:
* Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford
* Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river
Ford may also refer to:
Ford Motor Company
* Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company
* Ford F ...](_blank)
cutaway chassis design, with more integrated bodywork
File:GE-RZH125B-Kanachu-a13-Yumebus.jpg, Step equipped van on a converted Toyota HiAce
The (pronounced "High Ace") is a light commercial vehicle produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. First launched in October 1967, the HiAce has since been available in a wide range of body configurations, including a minivan/ ...
minibus
File:Dolmuş.JPG, Van converted minibuses as light transit buses
File:Optare Alero 1.jpg, Optare Alero
The Optare Alero is a Low-floor bus, low-floor GRP monocoque minibus that was built by Optare between 2001 and 2008. It was built as an alternative to minibus, van-derived buses such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Around 300 were built in the ...
integral low floor minibus
File:Iveco Daily obuses Orell.jpg, Van conversion Iveco Daily
The Iveco Daily is a large light commercial vehicle, light commercial van produced by the Italy, Italian automaker Iveco since 1978; it was also sold as the Fiat Daily by Fiat Automobiles, Fiat until 1983. Unlike the more car-like unibody Fiat D ...
minibus with full height entrance door
File:Coaches 26 Oct 2013 unknown (10519601305).jpg, Iveco Daily
The Iveco Daily is a large light commercial vehicle, light commercial van produced by the Italy, Italian automaker Iveco since 1978; it was also sold as the Fiat Daily by Fiat Automobiles, Fiat until 1983. Unlike the more car-like unibody Fiat D ...
minibus in the UK
File:PA-ME17DF Kanako Ka1007.jpg, Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Midi ME low floor minibus
File:Hokutetsu Kanazawa Chuo Bus.JPG, Nissan Diesel RN
The Nissan Diesel RN (kana:日産ディーゼル・RN) is a one-step light-duty bus produced by the Japanese manufacturer Nissan Diesel
UD Trucks Corporation (UDトラックス株式会社, ''UD Torakkusu Kabushikigaisha'') is a Japanese compan ...
partially low floor light bus
File:HUST local traffic 4126.jpg, Electric minibus in China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
File:Buses 4U SN08 EJL.JPG, A Volkswagen Crafter
The Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest three- to five-ton van produced and sold by the German automaker Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The Crafter officially replaced the Volkswagen Transporter LT that was launched in 1975, ...
minibus
File:Thanyaburi Transport 381.jpg, Nissan Civilian
The Nissan Civilian (kana: 日産・シビリアン, Shibirian) is a single-decker minibus built by Japanese automaker Nissan since 1971. It is primarily available as a public bus and an intercity bus. In Japan, it was exclusive to '' Nissan S ...
in Pathumthani, Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
(Thanyaburi Transport CO.,LTD.)
File:Thep U-Thong Khonsong 338.jpg, Toyota Coaster B50 in Pathumthani, Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
(Thep U-Thong Khonsong CO.,LTD)
File:Higer KLQ6608GC 374 374K3-1.jpg, Higer
Higer Bus Company Limited, also known as Higer Bus, is a Chinese bus manufacturer based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. It was established at the end of 1998. HIGER is China's leading exporter of buses and Coach (bus), coaches, whose units are av ...
KLQ6608GC in Pathumthani, Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
(Kittisoontorn CO.,LTD.)
See also
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Cutaway van chassis
Cutaway van chassis are used by second stage manufacturers for a wide range of completed motor vehicles. Especially popular in the United States, they are usually based upon incomplete vans to be bigger or smaller than pickup trucks and SUVs mad ...
*
Volkswagen Transporter
The Volkswagen Transporter, based on the Volkswagen Group's T platform, now in its seventh generation, refers to a series of vans produced for over 70 years and marketed worldwide.
The T series is now considered an official list of Volkswagen Gr ...
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Buses by type