A midibus is a public service vehicle with a length of 8 to 10 meters. Midibuses are mostly used in short-range public transportation in the country, in small towns and the suburbs of larger cities. Midibuses used in the tourism industry and tourism traffic are generally referred to as club buses. With their size and capacity midibuses fill in the gap between large omnibuses and minibuses. They have a passenger capacity of between 35 and up to 68 people.
According their size, midibus are classified into two different frame sizes. The larger models are shortened standard buses, where the middle part between front axle and 2nd bus door is shortened by two seat rows. Otherwise there are no differences in the construction of larger midibuses and standard buses. Smaller models usually are individual constructions. These models additionally have shorter overhangs in the front- and rear-area and partially are up to 15 cm narrower than standard buses. However, the transition between the two different frame sizes is fluent.
Midibuses are – optically and constructively – strongly guided by standard buses of the particular manufacturer. Many parts of the standard buses are also used with the midibuses. These are for example:
- Headlights,
- Taillights,
- Doors,
- Interiors,
- Bumpers,
- Installation position of the engine in the rear, and
- Side windows.
The position of the engine in the rear may be the key differentiation of midibuses to minibuses. Because they usually have front engines or similar engines of mini vans.
Midibuses are developed and manufactured to fit the needs and demands of potential passengers. To fill the niche between standard buses and minibuses is the main function of midibuses. While minibuses are totally ineligible for public transportation in a city with a population of 15.000, standard buses would appeal quite oversized. So Midibuses are the perfect alternative for the job. But also in tourist traffic and tourist industry midibuses are becoming increasingly popular. They are way more maneuverable than the larger standard buses, making them virtually predestinated for the use in the mountains with many serpentines or in the narrow winded streets of a historical downtown.
Best known representatives of midibuses among others are:
- Irisbus Accessbus GX 127
- Ikarus 405
- Solaris Alpino
- EvoBus Citaro K
- MAN Lion`s City M
- Neopaln Centroliner N 4007