Minibus Mania: The Rise and Fall of Minibuses 1970s-1990s

In the 1970s, bus companies used van-derived minibuses for experimental services, but by 1984 they had started buying them in bulk, replacing full-size vehicles. Larger, purpose-built vehicles began to appear, and attempts were made to produce 'midibuses'. The boom ended in the mid-1990s, with larger vehicles replacing many minibuses. Modern accessible minibuses are still produced, but it is a far cry from their heyday.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The use of minibuses by bus companies has a long history, serving various purposes. However, in the 1970s, a significant shift occurred as several companies ventured into experimental services like Dial-a-Ride schemes. These operations were on a smaller scale.

Beginning in the late 1980s, a majority of British bus companies began acquiring minibuses in bulk. They gradually replaced full-size vehicles, leading to the conversion of entire town local networks to their use. Initially, these minibuses were based on van chassis, seating around sixteen passengers, such as Ford, Freight-Rover, and Mercedes-Benz. However, as time passed, larger, purpose-built vehicles started emerging from companies less familiar to the British bus market. Additionally, attempts were made to create 'midibuses,' which were larger than minibuses but smaller than full-size buses.

By the mid-1990s, the minibus boom had reached its peak. Larger vehicles began to replace many of these minibuses, marking a significant shift in the industry. While modern accessible minibuses are still produced and serve a role, it is a far cry from their heyday of popularity.

This book delves into the rise and fall of the minibus in British bus services, exploring the historical developments, technological advancements, and the impact they had on the transportation landscape. It sheds light on the factors that contributed to the popularity of minibuses, their contributions to accessibility and mobility, and the challenges they faced as larger vehicles took over.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 166 x 234 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398108820