UNIT - 3

Classification Of Buses
They are classified based on
Distance travelled by the vehicle.
Capacity of the vehicle.
Shape and style of the vehicle.

Based On The Distance Travelled:

Town Bus:
These buses are used for short distance of about 20 km. They are provided with large number
of standing places, two wide doors with large entry and exit platform and hard seat covered with
durable plastic materials.
Suburban Bus:
These buses are used for a distance of about 40 50 km. They usually have reasonably
comfortable seats; fairly small entry platform for the extra space can be used for luggage and
extra standing passengers. Usually one door is sufficient for this type of operation.
Long Distance Bus:
These buses are used for a distance of about 200 km and above. They have comfortable seats
with under floor luggage space and roof tracks for large items of luggage.
Touring Coach:
For longer distance touring coaches very comfortable reclining seats are used. Toilets, air
conditioners music systems are provided. Additional windows are used to improve visibility of
the passengers. Thermal and acoustic insulation is usually elaborate and spacious luggage
compartments are provided under the floor and on the roof.

Based On The Capacity Of The Vehicle:

Micro bus: 8 15 passengers
Small coaches for long distances: 15 30 passengers
Small buses for towns: 40 passengers
Medium coaches for long distances: 30 50 passengers
Medium buses for towns: 40 60 passengers
Large coaches for long distances: 45 60 passengers
Very large buses for towns: 80 passengers

Based On Shape And Style Of The Vehicle:

Classic Type:
The classic or normal control bus has the engine in front of the passenger carrying
compartment. This design was almost universal at one time has disappeared and is main of
historical interest. The decline is due to its low ration of useful length to overall length but it also
has a high tare weight and poor aerodynamic shape.

Single Deck:
The full length body work in single deck bus is almost universal today as this layout
eliminates all the disadvantages of the classic type.

Double Deck:
These buses have a greater number of seats for a given overall length than a single deck bus.
But stability is not good as the single deck bus.

Split Level Bus:

An intermediate solution between the two is split level layout. This layout has more seats
than a single deck and more stability than a double deck. However owing to small number of
variation that can be made from this basic design, it is widely used.

Two Level Single Deck :

These have been used for luxury coaches. This layout provides good forward visibility for all
passengers, good luggage space and easy installation of an under floor or rear engine. Again this
type is only made for special orders as it not easy to make derivation from the same body shell.

Articulated Bus:
City buses are made into two parts because of axle load limitation. The rear position is
articulated to the main vehicle body by covered pilot allowing easy access between the two
sections.