Articulated Bus

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An example of an articulated bus
Typical interior of an articulated bus

An Articulated bus is mostly used for public transit and is typically 60 feet (18 meters) long, although sometimes other lengths are available. Due to their increased length, articulated buses are fitted with an extra axle and a pivot (usually located a little behind the middle of the bus). This pivot is generally located behind the second axle.

Bi-articulated buses are buses that have two pivots. They are usually 80 feet (24 meters) long or more, and are extremely rare. They frequently run on separate roadways (usually auto-guided lanes or a Bus Rapid Transit corridor), however there are cities in Europe that run bi-articulated buses in mixed traffic.

Double-decked articulated buses do exist. The Neoplan Jumbocruiser is a notable example. Built between 1975 and 1992, passengers can only move to the trailing section of this bus via the upper deck - as a result, each section is equipped with separate doors.

Articulated buses were originally introduced to Canada in 1982 by the Government of Ontario with their "Articulated Bus Demonstration Project" that was ran by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (now known just simply as "Ministry of Transportation")

Advantages

  1. Stability: articulated buses have better stability than double-decker buses due to a lower centre of gravity.
  2. Lower Height: ideal for places where double-deckers cannot fit under overhead electric wires or because of tunnels or bridges.
  3. Faster Loading/Unloading: more doors can be fitted because of their length.
  4. Maintenance: frequently articulated buses are based on rigid 40' buses, and thus share many components and maintenance techniques.
  5. Better Turning Radius than a 40 foot bus due to the articulated joint. A 60 foot bus may in fact have the turning radius of a 30 or 35 foot bus.

Disadvantages

  1. Engine: some articulated buses use the same engine as non articulated buses. Due to their increased weight, they then have slower acceleration and speed and are not ideal for hill climbing.
  2. Maintenance: the pivot of an articulated bus is a particularly high-stress area, and requires much maintenance.

Models

American Ikarus

  • 436 (1992-1996)

BYD Auto

GMDD

Ikarus

Diesel:

Electric (Trolley Bus):

Ikarus USA

  • 436 (1990-1991)

Karosa

  • B741 (1991-1996)
  • B941 (1997-2001)
  • C943 (1997-2001) Highway coach

MAN

Diesel:

Electric (Trolley Bus):

MCI

Mercedes-Benz

NABI

Neoplan

New Flyer Industries

CNG:

Diesel:

Diesel-Electric:

Electric (Trolley Bus):

Electric (Battery):

Hydrogen Fuel Cell:

Nova Bus

Prevost

Škoda

Van Hool

Volvo

  • B10M Artic *Offered in 40 and 60 foot variations, no 60 feet vehicles were bought in North America.

Agencies using articulated buses

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United States Flag of the United States.png

v·d·e
Public Transit
Rail
Types Commuter Rail - Light rail - Streetcar - Subway
Transit Buses
Types Articulated Bus - Bus Rapid Transit - Double Decker Bus - Low Floor Bus - Highway Coach - Shuttle Bus - Trolley Bus
Fuel Compressed Natural Gas - Diesel - Diesel-Electric Hybrid - Gasoline - Hydrogen Fuel Cell - Liquified Natural Gas
Manufacturers Alexander Dennis - Blue Bird - ElDorado National - Gillig - Motor Coach Industries - New Flyer Industries - North American Bus Industries - Nova Bus - Orion International - Prevost Car - Setra - Thomas Built Buses - Van Hool
VIN Pages Alexander Dennis - Blue Bird - Champion - Designline - ElDorado National - Flxible - Flyer Industries - General Motors - Gilig - Ikarus USA - Millennium Transit Services - Motor Coach Industries - New Flyer Industries - Neoplan USA - North American Bus Industries - Nova Bus - Optima Bus - Orion Bus Industries - Prevost Car - Setra - TEMSA - Thomas Built Buses - Transportation Manufacturing Corporation - TransBus International - Van Hool
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