Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Minibus shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Minibus offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Minibus at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Minibus? Wrong! If the Minibus is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Minibus then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Minibus? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Minibus and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Minibus wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Minibus then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Minibus site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Minibus, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Minibus, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
A
minibus is a motor vehicle that is designed to carry fewer people than a full-size bus. An example of a minibus is the
VW Bus/
Kombi or
Ford Transit, although there are many manufacturers producing models specifically for such use.
Minibuses are used as share taxis for public transport in many parts of the world.
In the United Kingdom a minibus is defined as such - A motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight but no more than sixteen seated passengers in addition to the driver.
To drive a minibus in the UK, a D1 category licence is required. 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 as this licence included the D1 entitlement. Where the "ordinary car driving licence" is obtained after December 1996, they will have to take a separate D1 licence 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 3500kgs GVW (or 4250kgs GVW if the vehicle is designed to be wheelchair accessible).
Driving one usually requires special training and certification under the
Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme.
In the mid-1980s a number of bus operators in the UK replaced some of their full size buses with minibuses based on such models as the
Ford Transit,
Freight Rover Sherpa and later the larger Mercedes-Benz Vario or its predecessors, though disability access regulations now mean these are now largely replaced with conventional buses or narrower versions of midibuses like the Optare Solo Slimline and
Caetano Slimbus (
Dennis Dart SLF chassis).
In 2007, Many new models were released in the UK, the new
Ford Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and
Volkswagen Volkswagen Crafter (which replaced the Volkswagen LT). Other minibuses available are the
Citroen Relay, Peugeot
Peugeot Boxer,
Renault Renault Master, Vauxhall Motors Vauxhall Movano and
Iveco Daily, etc.
In South Africa the Minibus Industry was pioneered by black entrepreneurs who provided a
shared taxi service that was convenient for residents of outlying Township (South Africa) during the days of apartheid.
See also
- Public light buses - minibuses in Hong Kong
- Short bus - school buses smaller than full-size buses
- Marshrutka - routed taxicab running in the former-Soviet country.
External links
- Elisbus (Minibus manufacturer from Germany)
- Minibus Images & Specification
- Minibus Options (Minibus manufacturer from UK)
A
minibus is a
motor vehicle that is designed to carry fewer people than a full-size bus. An example of a minibus is the VW Bus/Kombi or
Ford Transit, although there are many manufacturers producing models specifically for such use.
Minibuses are used as
share taxis for
public transport in many parts of the world.
In the United Kingdom a minibus is defined as such - A motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight but no more than sixteen seated passengers in addition to the driver.
To drive a minibus in the UK, a D1 category licence is required. 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 as this licence included the D1 entitlement. Where the "ordinary car driving licence" is obtained after December 1996, they will have to take a separate D1 licence 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 3500kgs GVW (or 4250kgs GVW if the vehicle is designed to be wheelchair accessible).
Driving one usually requires special training and certification under the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme.
In the mid-
1980s a number of bus operators in the UK replaced some of their full size buses with minibuses based on such models as the
Ford Transit, Freight Rover Sherpa and later the larger Mercedes-Benz Vario or its predecessors, though disability access regulations now mean these are now largely replaced with conventional buses or narrower versions of
midibuses like the Optare Solo Slimline and Caetano Slimbus (Dennis Dart SLF chassis).
In 2007, Many new models were released in the UK, the new
Ford Ford Transit,
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and Volkswagen Volkswagen Crafter (which replaced the
Volkswagen LT). Other minibuses available are the
Citroen Relay, Peugeot
Peugeot Boxer,
Renault Renault Master, Vauxhall Motors Vauxhall Movano and
Iveco Daily, etc.
In
South Africa the Minibus Industry was pioneered by black entrepreneurs who provided a
shared taxi service that was convenient for residents of outlying Township (South Africa) during the days of apartheid.
See also
- Public light buses - minibuses in Hong Kong
- Short bus - school buses smaller than full-size buses
- Marshrutka - routed taxicab running in the former-Soviet country.
External links
- Elisbus (Minibus manufacturer from Germany)
- Minibus Images & Specification
- Minibus Options (Minibus manufacturer from UK)
