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Minibus

{{Distinguish|Minivan|Midibus}} {{Short description|Passenger-carrying motor vehicle (12–30 seats)}}

{{Redirect|Microbus|the VW Microbus|Volkswagen Type 2}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}

{{more citations needed|date=February 2023}}

File:Jumper Distribus (cropped).jpg minibus in France]]

File:Dutro110SDMicrobusRS.JPG 110SD 12-seater microbus in Indonesia]]

File:Minibus_Iveco.jpg chassis) in Rijeka, Croatia]]

File:KWK-010_Mikrotrans_JAK.27_Suzuki_New_Carry.jpg used as public transportation in Indonesia]]

A minibus, microbus, or minicoach 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 typically front-engine step-in vehicles, although low floor minibuses are particularly common in Japan.{{cite journal |title=Vehicle Accessibility in Japan Today and the Outlook for the Future |last1=Akiyama |first1=Tetsuo |last2=Wahira |first2=Yoshihiro |last3=Kamata |first3=Minoru |last4=Fujii |first4=Naoto |date=2001 |journal=IATSS Research |volume=25 |pages=42–50 |doi=10.1016/S0386-1112(14)60005-4 |doi-access=free }}

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.{{cite web |last1=Negyesi |first1=Pal |title=The Role of the Ford Model T As a Bus in Central and Eastern Europe |url= https://ceautoclassic.eu/the-role-of-the-ford-model-t-as-a-bus-in-central-and-eastern-europe/ |work=CEAutoClassic |date=4 May 2020 |access-date=17 February 2023}} Ford produced a version during the 1920s to carry up to twelve people.{{cite web |title=Henry the Model T Bus |url= https://www.highfieldspioneervillage.com.au/henry-the-model-t-bus |website=highfieldspioneervillage.com.au |access-date=17 February 2023}}{{cite web |title=1926 Ford Model TT 10 Seater Country Bus Chassis no. 14390021 Engine no. 14390021 |url= https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/10533/lot/205/ |website=bonhams.com |access-date=17 February 2023}}{{cite web |title=Car Ford Model T Station Bus 1919 for sale |url= https://www.prewarcar.com/453449-1919-ford-model-t-station-bus |website=PreWarCar |access-date=17 February 2023}}

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.{{cite book |last=Dashko |first=Dmitry |title=Юность. Автобус для избранных |publisher=ООО "ИПК Парето-Принт" |year=2013 |pages=19–21 |language=ru |trans-title=Youth. A bus for the elite}} Since September 1961, the RAF-977D "Latvia" minibus began to be mass-produced.{{cite web |title=Хроника: любимый «рафик» |url= https://www.zr.ru/content/news/353880-hronika_lubimyj_rafik/ |access-date=16 January 2025 |language=ru}}

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:

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:

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).

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:

  • [http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/classes.shtml 11 tonnes maximum authorized mass, including trailers with 4.6 tonnes MAM]{{cite web|url= http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/recreational-vehicles/frequently-asked-questions.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703090248/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/recreational-vehicles/frequently-asked-questions.shtml|url-status=unfit|title=Licence Change for Operators of Recreational Vehicles |archive-date=3 July 2011}} 6 tonnes MAM in certain cases)
  • passenger seating capacity of [https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003448/http://www.drivetest.ca/EN/licencing/Pages/Licencing-Requirements.aspx 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 will allow, for example, its holder to drive 12- and 15-passenger vans] that Transport Canada defines as large passenger vans.{{cite web|url= http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-tp2436-rs200808-menu-202.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203064624/http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-tp2436-rs200808-menu-202.htm |url-status=unfit|title=Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate |archive-date=3 December 2013}}

See also

{{Commons category|Minibuses}}

References

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{{Buses}}

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Category:Buses by type