Entrance

The choice of base vehicle will have a strong bearing on the type of walk-in passenger entrance.

The entrance can be to the nearside front, directly opposite the driver, or through the side loading door, which usually offers increased headroom.

Unless the entrance is only for the benefit of able bodied passengers or attendants, most models will feature an auxiliary step to the side passenger entrance. Subject to the design of the base vehicle, this may be mounted below the entrance or fitted into the standard stepwell.

Certain models can feature a special cut in stepwell and flush folding step. The step lies flush with the saloon floor when not in use, and when lowered provides three low entry steps. The proportions of a cut-in stepwell are more passenger friendly than those provided as standard on base vehicles such as from Ford or Iveco.

Sometimes a cassette step below the entrance is the only practical solution, despite this requiring regular cleaning and being at risk of accident damage. A cassette step may be manually deployed (foot operated) or electrically operated - either when the door opens or as switched by the driver, the step is powered into position. A step mounted in this position is exposed to harsh conditions, and when selected only the better, more expensive models should be considered.

A manual cassette step would have a buzzer to warn the driver if it has been left out when the bus is moving, while an electric version should have an automatic retract feature.

On some buses we can offer a power-operated door. This would be electrically operated, possibly in conjunction with an electrically operated auxiliary step. Costs can vary significantly subject to the choice of base vehicle and type of door.

As a legal requirement all minibuses must feature a grab handle to assist entry at the passenger door, though in practice most of our vehicles would feature additional handrails, to each side of the entrance, fixed or folding. Generally, handrails are 32mm dia., slip resistant and colour coated to contrast with the background.

Highlighted step edges can be specified to the passenger entrance. They clearly identify step edges and are of particular benefit to the partially sighted.