Engineering:Minibus

From HandWiki

A minibus, microbus, minicoach, or short bus 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, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger-carrying van or panel truck. Minibuses have a seating capacity of between 12 and 30. Larger minibuses may be called midibuses. Minibuses are usually front-engine vehicles with step-in access, though low-floor designs are especially common in Japan.[1]

History

It is unknown when the first minibus vehicle was developed. For example, Ford Model T vehicles were modified for passenger transport by early bus companies and entrepreneurs.[2] Ford produced a version during the 1920s to carry up to twelve people.[3][4][5]

In the Soviet Union, the production of minibuses began in the mid-1950s, among the first mass-produced minibuses were the RAF-10, UAZ-451B, and Start.[6] Since September 1961, the RAF-977D "Latvia" minibus began to be mass-produced.[7]

Regional variants

See also: Share taxi

There are many different form of public transportation services around the world that are provided by using vehicles that can be considered as minibus:

  • Angkot in Indonesia.[8]
  • Bas Mini in Malaysia.[9]
  • Colectivo in Argentina.[10]
  • Chiva bus in Colombia and Ecuador in southern South America. [11]
  • Dala dala in Tanzania
  • Dollar van a.k.a. jitneys, in the United States.
  • Dolmuş in Turkey
  • Modern Jeepney in the Philippines
  • Marshrutka in eastern Europe.
  • Matatu around Kenya
  • Minibus taxi in South Africa, Ethiopia, see also Taxi wars in South Africa
  • Pesero, minibuses operating as regular buses in Mexico, especially in Mexico City.
  • Public light buses, in Hong Kong.
  • Sherut in Israel
  • Songthaew around Thailand and Lao
  • Tap tap in Haiti
  • Tro tro around Ghana
  • Weyala in Ethiopia
  • Maxi-taxi in Trinidad and Romania

Driving licence

Some countries may require an additional class of driving licence over a normal private car licence, and some may require a full commercial driving licence. The need for such a licence may depend on:

France

In France, if the vehicle has more than 9 seats, a D permit is required. If there are between 9 and 17 seats, the driver must have a D1 permit.[12]

United Kingdom

In the UK, 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).[13][14]

United States

In the United States, if the vehicle has 15 or fewer passengers, no special license is required. If there are 16 or more passengers (including the driver), a commercial driver's license is required (the specific type varies by state).[15][16][17]

Ontario, Canada

A driving licence issued in Ontario, 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:

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 short bus licence (Class F in Ontario). This will allow, for example, its holder to drive 12- and 15-passenger vans] that Transport Canada defines as large passenger vans. A separate class of driving license (Class C) is required for full-size school buses and school buses.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Akiyama, Tetsuo; Wahira, Yoshihiro; Kamata, Minoru; Fujii, Naoto (2001). "Vehicle Accessibility in Japan Today and the Outlook for the Future". IATSS Research 25: 42–50. doi:10.1016/S0386-1112(14)60005-4. 
  2. ↑ Negyesi, Pal (4 May 2020). "The Role of the Ford Model T As a Bus in Central and Eastern Europe". CEAutoClassic. https://ceautoclassic.eu/the-role-of-the-ford-model-t-as-a-bus-in-central-and-eastern-europe/. 
  3. ↑ "Henry the Model T Bus". https://www.highfieldspioneervillage.com.au/henry-the-model-t-bus. 
  4. ↑ "1926 Ford Model TT 10 Seater Country Bus Chassis no. 14390021 Engine no. 14390021". https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/10533/lot/205/. 
  5. ↑ "Car Ford Model T Station Bus 1919 for sale". https://www.prewarcar.com/453449-1919-ford-model-t-station-bus. 
  6. ↑ Dashko, Dmitry (2013) (in ru). Юность. Автобус для избранных. ООО "ИПК Парето-Принт". pp. 19–21. 
  7. ↑ "Хроника: любимый «рафик»" (in ru). https://www.zr.ru/content/news/353880-hronika_lubimyj_rafik/. 
  8. ↑ Wijaya, Suryani Eka; Imran, Muhammad (25 February 2019). Moving the Masses: Bus-Rapid Transit (BRT) Policies in Low Income Asian Cities: Case Studies from Indonesia. Springer. p. 76. ISBN 978-981-13-2938-8. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Moving_the_Masses_Bus_Rapid_Transit_BRT/Qh2KDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&pg=PA76&printsec=frontcover. Retrieved 21 April 2026. "I needed to visit and connected to the city by derefulated minibuses called angkutan kota, or angkot. An angkot has a capacity of 12 passengers, although angkot always take more passengers at peak-hour rush times. Angkot have more than 38 routes throughout the city. The name of the route being taken is written at the front of ..." 
  9. ↑ "Mini-Bus Off The Road From Wednesday". Utusan Express. 31 Mar 1998. http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=1998&dt=0331&pub=Utusan_Express&sec=Home_News&pg=hn_03.htm. 
  10. ↑ The design evolution of the colectivo. Article with much information and many photographs, accessed 10 April 2010 (in Spanish)
  11. ↑ Vega, Tanzina (2008-03-02). "A Taste of Colombia Rolls Through New York's Streets". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/nyregion/02chiva.html. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  12. ↑ "What driver's licenses are required depending on the category of vehicle?" (in Fr). https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F12096?lang=en. 
  13. ↑ "Safe riding for minibus drivers". ROSPA. https://www.rospa.com/road-safety/road-safety-information/vehicle-safety/minibus-safety/minibus-drivers. 
  14. ↑ "Driving a minibus". GOV UK. https://www.gov.uk/driving-a-minibus. 
  15. ↑ Meck, David (2024-09-02). "Mini Bus Regulations and Policies: Regulations and policies affecting minibus operations in the USA - Nations Bus Sales" (in en-US). https://nationsbus.com/mini-bus-regulations-and-policies/,%20https://nationsbus.com/mini-bus-regulations-and-policies. 
  16. ↑ George, Bryan (2015-01-08). "Shuttle Bus Drivers License Requirements - Carpenter Bus Sales" (in en-US). https://www.carpenterbus.com/senior-care-bus-articles/shuttle-buses-and-drivers-licenses-what-you-need-to-know/. 
  17. ↑ "Classes A, B, and C | SCDMV". https://dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/commercial-licenses/classes-a-b-and-c. 
  18. ↑ "Licence Change for Operators of Recreational Vehicles". http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/recreational-vehicles/frequently-asked-questions.shtml. 
  19. ↑ "Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate". http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-tp2436-rs200808-menu-202.htm. 



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Engineering:Minibus&oldid=4555142"