Great Vintage MINIBUSES from Japan, the UK & the US! [Bus Documentary]

[@superted6960]

In the UK there was an explosion of minibuses following the deregulation of the bus market in the 1980s. The idea was that whilst seating capacity of an individual bus might go down, service frequency would rise with the passenger consequently being better served. Numerous vehicle types were involved, usually based on van chassis with a bus body, of sorts, dropped on top. Have a look at the Optare Pacer, one of the more attractive designs, with a capacity of around 25. The idea ultimately fizzled out as the vehicles were not as robust as their full size cousins. Smaller, purpose built buses still have their place in the UK, though, from a variety of manufacturers.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the info on the Optare Pacer, looks interesting! I have some Ian Allan books with lots of pics of "bread van" buses after deregulation. Not as nice as the Pacer! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@keithhooper6123]

Accessibility issues for the disabled,pushchair etc and the extra space needed,saw the end of Transit size buses. They used to come around the housing estate,where I live. Sharp bends,and parked cars,so,they suited. No bus comes, now.

[@keithparker5125]

@@keithhooper6123 I remember the bread-van busses well. Milton Keynes initially had a fleet of them based on the Mercedes Benz Vario to cover ALL bus services in the town (a total of nine routes)

[@leopoldbluesky]

I used to drive City Pacers in London on the C2 right at the start of 1987 when they were brand new. They were fun to drive, but the brakes used to fail in a sudden and alarming way with regularity! They were built on VW LT55 chassis but they didn't think to upgrade the brakes to cope with the heavier loads.

[@Jimbo-gi7xn]

In East Kent in the 80s there were some Transits and the odd Sherpa then late 80s/early 90s they all went to Iveco Turbo Daily 49-10 with Robin Hood bodies

[@trevorhorton8472]

Thank you Jeffrey for keeping the memory of these petite busses alive.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm really glad you liked the video! We can't forget about these little buses, can we?? Thanks very much for watching!!

[@garrymartin6474]

I'm pretty sure the dark green and cream coloured J2 pictured is the example owned by The Queen Mother and used to transport her staff (and dogs) about. I recall seeing it at a show in the Sheffield area.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Wow, that's interesting about that J2! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@garrymartin6474]

@@JeffreyOrnstein I have been trying to find my pictures but think they are on an old PC

[@davidcrossley5165]

San Diego Transit, back in the 1970's, had a fleet of small, Mercedes Benz buses. They didn't last too long, but it was an interesting idea at the time.

[@sleepwalker8600]

The bus I got to college, years ago was a Mercedes 811d Vario. 4 speed manual gearbox if i remember correctly but it might have been five, definitely manual though.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh, that sounds unique, a Mercedes bus in the US! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@jeffclark2725]

@@davidcrossley5165 were they pre sprinter type of coaches?

[@sleepwalker8600]

@@JeffreyOrnstein Sorry I should have been more specific, this was in Ireland.

[@davidcrossley5165]

@@jeffclark2725 I looked it up again, and the model number (I believe) is O309D, a 19 passenger coach, which San Diego Transit used starting around 1974. EDIT: This post should have been directed to Jeffrey.

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

The Seddon Pennine IV Midibus was a tiny little free shuttle service called Centreline 4 in the 1980's, that connected Manchester Piccadilly Bus terminus to both Victoria and Piccadilly train stations. Also, it was cool seeing the oldest Caetano coach body I've ever seen in this video too. They might make for an interesting back story. Originally based in Portugal, they make all the coach bodies for National Express. Caetano were eventually bought by NX, and their factory moved to England. Had no idea of their business before they first partnered NX. Not sure of the last few years, but all bodies were dropped on to Volvo, or Scania chassis. Lately, most National Express coaches are now tri-axle.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the info on those buses you mentioned, will look into them!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@orlandostead8703]

Jeff, these videos are brilliant, your knowledge of this subject is encyclopedic.👊👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thank you so much for your very positive comment, I appreciate it! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@autumnmatthews3179]

These little buses are really cute so thanks for another interesting video. The wheels on the Bedfords look quite set back from the bodywork which I've never seen before

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm very happy you liked the video! Yes, the wheels on the Bedford J2 are really set back!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@nigelgoodwin6954]

Thanks. Another great bus story.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm glad you liked the video! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

Great looking small buses and I'd like to see more of these awesome short bus videos

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Glad you liked the video, I may do another small bus video in the future! Thanks for watching!!

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

@@JeffreyOrnstein I watch all of your videos. This is one of my favorite channels in KZbin history, and hope you keep at it for a long time to come.

[@ManxAndy]

Good evening Jeffrey….I was literally thinking we must be due another upload….and within 10 seconds, I see the recommendation pop up….Tuesday evening sorted….Thankyou…👍👌🇮🇲

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello Andy! Great to hear you look forward to my videos!! Thank you for your nice comment and for watching!!!!

[@mootpointjones8488]

Small can be beautiful ❤

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Yes it can be!!! Thank you for watching!!

[@ROCKINGMAN]

In the UK there is a difference between a bus and a coach. The Bedford J2 was more a coach, despite it's small size. Some you show look quite smart. I remember seeing London Transport's Ford Transit (FS) from 1973, must have been their smallest bus, seating 16, needed for 4 routes requested by the council. They didn't last long and were replaced by Bristol LHS, also a small bus. A favourite of mine as a child was the ubiquitous Bedford VAS, school bus. Nice video.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the added information on the J2 and FS, etc.! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@laszlokaestner5766]

To my eyes the Plaxton bodied J2 is one of the cutest buses or coaches ever built.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh, yes you are right...it sure is a cutie! Thanks for watching!!

[@NickRatnieks]

I like the way the Flxette name was shrunk down like the bus itself- the Big Bad Wolf could come along and blow down these little buses houses with no trouble as they were so small. I can recall Bedford J2 Duple buses that were run by the Home Office to transport non-dangerous criminals to court in London- I think many that were sold on became owned by Hippies and appeared in their convoys and at their encampments.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, the Flxette was like a baby Flxible! Interesting info about the J2! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@jeffclark2725]

Thumbs up, Its good to see these little workhorses get the recognition they deserve,great video

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, these buses do need some attention, finally! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@johnledingham852]

Saw some of these as a lad here in Australia. Always wanted to have one.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh yes, and I think we all want one, LOL! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@1D84down]

Great stuff, Jeffrey. Here in England, there's a 1937 Bedford 'Country' bus which was in use by Mervyn's Coaches (near Winchester) for hire work until recently. A 14 seater, I think it's laid up at the moment

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm really glad you found the video interesting! That 1937 bus sounds interesting! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@timbounds7190]

I had a ride on a JJL once! Can't quite remember the occasion, but it wasn't in actual service, but it was giving demo rides somewhere. It was actually rather nice to ride in, I recall. I guess it was too sophisticated and thus expensive for many British operators who were experimenting with crappy panel van minibus conversions at the time. The Bedford J2/Plaxton coaches look so sweet!!!

[@tonys1636]

One of the operators I drove for had a J2, it was even smaller than the ones in the video at only 13 seats, used for initial driver training and backup baggage vehicle. It was nicknamed the Peanut. Believe that it was originally a factory internal transport bus as was unregistered before purchased by that operator.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Wow, you actually rode a JJL? Awesome! Yeah, it was probably a bit ahead of its time. Thanks very much for watching!!

[@timbounds7190]

@@JeffreyOrnstein Actually I might have ridden on one twice! I think Brighton had one or 2 for a while, and I have a very very vague recollection of riding on one on a visit there - though I might be imagining this!

[@paulconnolly8662]

Excellent and informative article as always, Jeffrey, delivered with your inimitable style, please keep up the good work.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello Paul, thank you so much for your very positive comment!! I really appreciate it!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@adamlee3772]

If you google South Yorkshire Transport Little Nipper and Mainline Eager Beaver, you will see they had a kind of Dodge van base and then a Renault. They were bloody terrible to ride in. Cramped, rough riding heaps. They put them on to one of the routes I used to use often but I soon started to walk a bit further just to avoid them. As another commenter has suggested here, they were meant to increase frequency with them but they didn't as you still need a driver and you were still at the mercy of the traffic. They lasted a surprisingly long time in South Yorkshire though. But I never mourned their passing. I can see why the smaller buses were used on routes where the roads were tiny in old villages that had been built in the days of the Doomsday Book but no need for them in relatively modern villages and suburbs that had successfully run regular single and double deck buses. Good video though, thanks for sharing.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Very glad you likeed the video!! Thanks for the extra info on the small buses in Yorkshire - will look it up. Thank you for watching!!

[@adamlee3772]

@@JeffreyOrnstein South Yorkshire only. And Mainline took over at deregulation.

[@ashtonnelson2624]

“The Flxible Company introduced a small 19-passenger bus in 1965. The new bus was known as the Flxette. It was built in a factory in Evergreen, Alabama, which had previously built Southern transit buses. The Flxette was built on a Ford chassis. Mansfield (Ohio) Bus Lines purchased the first four Flxette buses when it started a new service in the city. The new operator, formerly a taxi company, added several more Flxettes as patronage increased.” - City Transit Buses of the 20th Century • William A. Luke & Linda L. Metler

[@1208bug]

Thanks Jeffrey. I had the pleasure of a personalized tour at Flixible Loudonville, Ohio in1970 (If my memory is correct) and there were several Flexettes plus other models in various stages of construction on the floor.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Wow, that must have been absolutely incredible to tour the Flxible factory!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@ianwilliams8656]

The one small bus that comes to mind for me is the Albion Nimbus. Great video Jeffrey thanks.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Believe it or not, I did an entire video on the Albion Nimbus recently!! Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nV7Fg6tobN2leNk Glad you liked the video! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@keithjackson8076]

The Plaxton Bedford J2 was nicknamed the "Peanut", in deference to their Panoramas. As with the 1960s built BR Class 14 diesel hydraulic branch line loco, the "Teddy Bear" after their once largest "Great Bear" loco built at the same works in 1908. In my locality there was once a Bedford JJL (probably the survivor) parked on a driveway in Lytham St Annes, UK as a motorhome.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the extra info on the J2 and JJL, very interesting! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@justinhamilton497]

The thumbnail guarantees this'll be a good video.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thank you for the positive feedback, and thanks very much for watching!!

[@waynecrofts7954]

My favourite minibus, well mini coach really is the Bedford CF Plaxton Mini Supreme

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh yes, that's an unusual bus, but quite cool-looking! Maybe a good subject for a future video!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@qasdex]

Great video Jeffrey, the Mazdas look really cool !!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Glad you liked the video! Yes, the Mazdas were quite different! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@jamesfrench7299]

I remember a more modern Mazda mini bus model from the 80s I used to see in Sydney and thought they were a good looking bus. They used the front from their light truck range at the time with the taillights off the second generation Mazda 323 hatchback car!

[@MelanieRuck-dq5uo]

Yet another lovely and interesting video about a slightly obscure bus topic. Thank you. If the two UK Bedfords had been made in two parts of Britain, ie England and Scotland, that would have counted as four countries. Unfortunately, they were made in the same place!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello Melanie! Thank you for your very nice comment! And thank you so much for watching again!

[@Hardtransport]

Hi Jeffrey, what a cool video about some of the older small buses around the globe. Here in Chile we have many, MANY types of small buses jajaja, mostly of them imported from Brazil and others made locally by defunct bus manufacturers like Metalpar, Inrecar and Cuatro Ases, mostly of the small buses here are mounted over Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen chasis.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm really happy you liked the video! And thanks for the info about the buses in Chile - maybe a good subject for a future video! Thanks very much for watching from Chile!!

[@jamesfrench7299]

Who bodied that record breaking order of something like 1500 Volvo B10Ms in one hit for Santiago Chile back in the 1990s?

[@Hardtransport]

​@@jamesfrench7299 Marcopolo, Ciferal and Busscar, those bus manufacturers maded a Volvo variation of the Marcopolo Torino, Ciferal GLS and Busscar Urbanus respectly, and they were ran in many bus companies on the old yellow bus system that have operated from 1992 to 2007 here in Santiago. But when the new transit system became in operation in 2007 many of those volvo B10M (and B58) was replaced by a newer generation of a Marcopolo Viale, the Gran Viale mounted in Volvo B7R and B9 SALF, and newer generation of Busscar Urbanuss (now with and extra S at the end). The last Volvo B10M bus that where in circulation here in Santiago was in 2012 and was three Busscar Urbanus. I have only pictures of two of the three that were left in operation till 2012. Now actually there is one Marcopolo Torino Volvo fully restored but is in B58 chasis and only run at the "Dia de los patrimonios" (Heritage day appreciation).

[@Hardtransport]

@@jamesfrench7299 Marcopolo, Ciferal and Busscar, those bus manufacturers maded a Volvo variation of the Marcopolo Torino, Ciferal GLS and Busscar Urbanus respectly, and they were ran in many bus companies on the old yellow bus system that have operated from 1992 to 2007 here in Santiago. But when the new transit system became in operation in 2007 many of those volvo B10M (and B58) was replaced by a newer generation of a Marcopolo Viale, the Gran Viale mounted in Volvo B7R and B9 SALF, and newer generation of Busscar Urbanuss (now with and extra S at the end). The last Volvo B10M bus that where in circulation here in Santiago was in 2012 and was three Busscar Urbanus. I have only pictures of two of the three that were left in operation till 2012. Now actually there is one Marcopolo Torino Volvo fully restored but is in B58 chasis and only run at the "Dia de los patrimonios" (Heritage day appreciation).

[@Hardtransport]

@@jamesfrench7299 Marcopolo, Ciferal and Busscar, those bus manufacturers maded a Volvo variation of the Marcopolo Torino, Ciferal GLS and Busscar Urbanus respectly, and they were ran in many bus companies on the old yellow bus system that have operated from 1992 to 2007 here in Santiago. But when the new transit system became in operation in 2007 many of those volvo B10M (and B58) was replaced by a newer generation of a Marcopolo Viale, the Gran Viale mounted in Volvo B7R and B9 SALF, and newer generation of Busscar Urbanuss (now with and extra S at the end). The last Volvo B10M bus that where in circulation here in Santiago was in 2012 and was three Busscar Urbanus. I have only pictures of two of the three that were left in operation till 2012. Now actually there is one Marcopolo Torino Volvo fully restored but is in B58 chasis and only run at the "Dia de los patrimonios" (Heritage day appreciation).

[@marksinthehouse1968]

I drove 8.5 metre darts for London buses the DT class Dennis dart and it’s plaxton bodied brother the DR but I liked my big buses ,London transport in the seventies brought some really short Bristol LHs with ECW bodies BS class they looked like if you hit the brakes too hard they would roll forward 😂 All the best Mark

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello Mark, thanks for the memories of the buses you drove in London...sounds like it must have been interesting at times!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@unclenolly3207]

Hi Jeffrey. Really love your videos - I’m learning so much. Re: small buses - what about the Bristol LHS? In my home city of Sheffield (UK), South Yorkshire Transport used them to provide bus services to where larger vehicles couldn’t go. Also, in my new home on the Isle of Wight, Southern Vectis used to use these to cross the River Medina from East to West Cowes via a chain ferry.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm really happy you find my videos interesting and thanks for the very positive feedback! I'll look more into the LHS for a future video - I've gotten numerous suggestions for it! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@highpath4776]

Was the JJL the one that came out of Bedford as a longer vehicle, then have part of the midships chassis cut out by the bodybuilder and the smaller body put on it ?

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Not sure, maybe someone else will know! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@StephenAllcroft]

That was the YLQ/S, which like the Ford T152 was done at Luton by Tricentrol Chassis Development. The original idea had been done by Midlands Ford dealership Don Everall who has taken two 36ft Ford Thames coaches from sales stock and modified them to 25ft long 35 seaters. Midland Red did similar cut downs on Ford R192, reducing them from 10 to 8.5m. What Tricentrol did was similar but used new chassis and achieved a full manufacturing warranty.

[@bustersw1760]

I wonder if the JJL didn`t do well due to the more popular and long lived chassis from Bedford, the VAS, which was used by most bus and coach builders, and even used for vehicles like horse boxes. In my 40 years of driving buses and coaches, one of the best small capacity coaches was the Toyota Optimo with a Caetano body.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Well, there were many reasons why the JJL didn't continue. I read that Bedford lost interest in the project, for one. But there were other reasons, too, of course. Thanks very much for watching!!

[@SocialFoxUK]

Check out the Dennis Domino. A really big small bus.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the tip on the Dennis Domino! Will check it out! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@jeffclark2725]

@@SocialFoxUK that looks like a big bus,LOL

[@highpath4776]

The Bristol SU and LHS - particulary the narrow version with the Marshall body was always handy in smaller country lanes of the dales and moors of the UK. Plaxton seemed to do the smaller coaches too for Wallace Arnold for local tours on long hotel holidays around Dartmoor

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the info on the SU and LHS! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@jamesfrench7299]

Hey Jeffrey, I saw a photo of an even smaller bus being used in Italy, Rome I think. It looked like a squashed down version of their regular full size buses. Would have seated no more than 10.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, Italy and some other European countries have had some really odd and small buses!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@anthonyg638]

The Toyota Coaster finished off little custom built busses like that I think 🤔

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, you are probably right that it did!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@stanleybest8833]

Dont't forget the Mercedes Benz, you see in the movie "Argo" and you could order extra short Gillig Christinas and Phantoms.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the suggestions on the Benz and Gillig! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@geebs76]

Interesting video. I really enjoyed it. Does anyone know what the most successful small bus of all time is? My guess would be the Toyota Coaster which has been in production since 1969. I don't think they are available in the US but they are common here in Costa Rica. A new one costs $100k. The Coaster would make an interesting episode.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video!! I don't think I've ever seen a Toyota Coaster here, so yes, it may not be available in the US. Thanks very much for watching!!

[@digitalvintage2416]

You should make a video about Soviet PAZ-672 “Coloboque” small bus, especially about its 4x4 version PAZ-3201! It’s a perfect example of old Russian design school!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the suggestion! I will look into those for a possible video. Thanks for watching!!

[@craigrymer9903]

Jeffrey, yet another well informed entertaining video, I bet the Flxette was a noisy little thing and didn’t the Mazdas look cool

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello Craig, I'm really happy you found the video interesting - and yes, I'm sure the Flxette was just as noisy as its 40-ft. bigger brother! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@crabbymilton390]

GILLIG built the SPIRIT from 1989 to 1991 and it was a flop. Only 250 were built. It was generally found that these purpose built buses of smaller size were not very cost effective after all and transit agencies preferred standardization. MCTS had a few of those but they didn’t last long and not the best quality. I rode on one and it was as nice as any other bus. It had a CAT 3208 V8 engine with an ALLISON transmission. As you said Jeffery, buses built on van cutaway chassis are much more cost effective mostly for airport-hotel-rental car buses. Not meant for long haul comfort just transportation as COLUMBO would say. Another great presentation Jeffery.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh, the Spirit looks quite interesting, thanks! Very long rear overhang!!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@markbass7145]

We had small busses when I was a kid but I'm having trouble identifying it.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Must have been fun to ride those buses as a kid! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@DangerAngelous]

Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa 💚💚💚

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thank you very much for watching!!

[@ptypaco]

Toyota Japan Coaster BB20 series

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

That's a nice bus! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@PD410712]

Hiiiii! Was it a Flxette used in the 1976 movie The BigBus? Transporting the journalists in the beginning of the film. Shortest bus trip in history 😄

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! The bus in the Big Bus movie was a Chance RT. Similar to the Flxette, but a different manufacturer. Great movie! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@PD410712]

@@JeffreyOrnstein Thanks for the answer. A new brand for me!

[@jamesfrench7299]

The Big Bus is a great childhood memory. I felt like I was travelling in it!

[@chaam4736]

Great video Jeffrey as always. I don't see a similarity between the Lynx and the Flxible, some of the features that were similar are purely coincidental I suspect. Leyland Nation a tough act to follow? Don't forget most operators of the Leyland National were part of the NBC, so they had no choice. Outside of the NBC, Leyland National sales were poor.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Great that you liked the video! The National, even though problematic, is still a fan favorite and an icon! Thank you for watching!!!

[@300guy]

Reminds me of Dumb and Dumberer. When they gets their "special" bus. "It's shorter than I ever imagined!😂 (tears of happiness) If you haven't seen it, it is an international full size dually bus shortened to I believe 2 side windows behind the door and seating for maybe 8.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I have to check it out, I don't remember it! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@JTA1961]

The vehicle at 1:51 clearly has Mitsubishi on it while the others bear the Mazda (M)...wonder if they had any connection.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh yes, good observation, that is odd...not sure why that is the case. Thanks very much for watching!!

[@07734YYC]

​@@JeffreyOrnsteinIt said "三菱石油" (Mitsubishi Sekiyu), which was a petroleum company, since absorbed into the present day Eneos brand. In other words, that was a company bus.

[@craigryan3069]

No mention of the best (IMHO) of the midibuses - the Bristol LHS. I'm biased as I owned one!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh, maybe in a future video I'll do something on the LHS! So many to choose from, LOL! Cool that you owned one!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@cedarcam]

loved those busses. Leeds had I think 6 of them that ran to the university.

[@craigryan3069]

​​@@cedarcamI owned Ex Metrobus MUA45P. It's now preserved at Merseyside Transport Museum, as it also operated for them (and others!) after it was sold off by West Yorkshire PTE.

[@cedarcam]

@@craigryan3069 Nice it got preserved and good to hear you once owned one.

[@YMLG2]

ELDORADO NATIONAL EZ RIDER . Would make a nice video

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Thanks for the suggestion...I will look into it! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@MartinIbert]

I would appreciate it if you could include standard measurements. The customary US units are confusing to almost everyone on the planet.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Ok, I will try to remember that in the future! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@markuskruger2102]

Neoplan Starliner?

Great video. If you want to see an interesting small bus check out the British move "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" from 1968. The theatrical trailer is on KZbin and shows the bus. I believe it is an Austin. There are many more scenes with the bus if you watch the entire film.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh, that I must check out that trailer!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@tonymento7460]

Boston MBTA ordered mini coaches from Twin Coach model TC - 25 number # 7900 to # 7909 they did not last long after 2 years in service they were sold to other bus companies the reason why they were sold was because the mechanics did not like repairing the motors and a lot of drivers hated them too

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh yes, those TC-25 buses look very interesting!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@karelvvv]

I lonque for a Mercedes-Benz O303 shorty with the V10 engine, to convert into a camper....

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Oh yes, that sounds very nice!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@markuskruger2102]

Know the German Kowax Minibusses??

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I need to look this one up! Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@rodkennedy9800]

Not trying to be argumentative but what is the difference between a bus and a coach?

[@highpath4776]

At one time in UK legislation Bus services had to be regulary operated and carry passengers at separate fares over a distance of less than 30miles between stops (operators would get fuel duty rebate and different drivers hours requirements ) Coaches would be private hires / tours , Coaches tended to be higher floor bodies too. Certain bus body styles qualified for "Bus Grant" of 50percent of new cost, though some indeed would look like coaches. Really Bus comes from Omnibus, and Coach from the old Stage Coach/Mail Coach of the horse drawn era. Dont forget the Char-A-Banc of the edwardian era to generally start of WW2

[@dancedecker]

Traditionally, a coach, certainly in the UK, has much more luxurious seating as it is built for longer distances, has more refinements and usually a more powerful, or less governed down engine for faster top speeds. Here in the UK, also the door is one piece, rather than two. A bus is usually slower, less refined and has more basic seating as the journey time will be lesser. Also the doors will usually be in 2 parts and may even have more than one door for entry and exit. The main difference though is the route it might be on. Town centre to suburb..bus. City centre to another city centre...coach. But just to throw a spanner in this, certainly over here in the UK we also have Dual Purpose vehicles, known as "DP's", which can effectively be used as either. This is by no means authoritative, but it might hopefully go some way to explain the difference between the two terms.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! It looks like your interesting question has been answered, but just to add to it, a bus is mainly for local transit services, while a coach is usually used for longer distance travel, and are more luxuriously appointed. Think Greyhound bus as a coach and a London double decker as a bus. Thanks very much for watching!!

[@markuskruger2102]

EA Auwärter.....

[@highpath4776]

The other small bus was the Seddon , particulary the electric battery bus for GMPTE

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'll look into the Seddon!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@CangoFango]

Wonderful video and retrospective on these old minibuses! Had no idea about the Mazda Type A beforehand - an excellent watch! 💖 For a follow-up video, I think the Optare Solo would be a great choice to include. For a long time, these were found all over the UK, and a lot of them are still in operation to this day - alongside its successor, the Optare Solo SR. Some early Solo examples even featured old bench-style seating (I believe with Nottingham City Transport, and one example with bench seats was still in service as recent as 2022 with Compass Royston - there's a video of it on KZbin). If you did make a follow-up video, you could also mention the Solo's predecessors - the Optare MetroRider, MCW Metrorider and the VW-based Optare CityPacer. Anyways though, these are just suggestions. Looking forward to future videos! 🙂

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm really glad you liked the video! I will look into the Optare buses you mention! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@CangoFango]

You are very welcome, thanks for getting back to me! 🙂 Optare's buses are among my favourite - the Spectra in particular I've been on many times (around 2013) on Wilts & Dorset's routes 183 & 184 from Weymouth up to Salisbury via Blandford (the route even went through Blandford Camp where the bus would be stopped and a military officer would conduct a brief check inside the bus before it entered the area). Their Optare Solo model was a midibus which I've also been on countless times, and they also developed a more conventionally-sized alternative to the Solo called the Excel (and later Excel 2 - its light clusters were reworked to more resemble that of the Solo). Also, despite these being a bit after my time and not having experienced them myself, I'm also quite fond of the Excel's predecessor - the Optare Delta, with its uncommonly sizeable front overhang and large wraparound windshield. If they interest you as well, I'd personally love to see some videos in the future delving into the details of Optare and their bus models, though of course no worries if not - it is just an idea. 💛