page_title: Bus transport in the United Kingdom
section_title: Types in use
hierarchical_section_title: Bus transport in the United Kingdom / Types in use
caption_attribution_description: English: Ford minibus (cropped from original source image)
context_page_description: Buses play a major role in the public transport of the United Kingdom, as well as seeing extensive private use. While rail transport has increased over the past twenty years due to road congestion, the same does not apply to buses, which have generally been used less, apart from in London where their use has increased significantly. Bus transport is heavily subsidised, with subsidy accounting for around 45 per cent of operator revenue, especially in London.
  In 2014/15, there were 5.2 billion bus journeys in the UK, 2.4 billion of which were in London. The UK bus network has shrunk by 8% over the past decade due to government subsidy cuts and a reduction in commercial operations in the north of England.
context_section_description: Historically, full size single and double-decker buses formed the mainstay of the UK bus fleet.
  In the 1980s, minibuses were developed from so-called, 'van-derived' minibus chassis, such as the Ford Transit and the Freight Rover Sherpa. As their popularity increased, designs have become more bus focused, with the numerous Mercedes-Benz models.
  Following abortive purpose built designs such as the Bedford JJL, and the limited use of shortened chassis such as the Seddon Pennine and Dennis Domino, the Dennis Dart introduced the concept of the midibus to the UK operating market in large numbers in the 1990s. Beginning as a short wheelbase bus, some midibus designs have become as long as full size buses.
  Developments such as the Optare Solo have further blurred the distinctions between mini and midi buses.
  Since the mid-1990s, all bus types have had to come into line with Easy Access regulations, with the most notable change being the introduction of low-floor technology. As of February 2008, 58% of the UK's bus fleet was low floor.
  Apart from a brief experiment in the 1980s in Sheffield, with the Leyland-DAB, articulated buses (artics), had not gained a foothold in the UK market. In the new millennium, artics were introduced in various parts of the UK, following a controversial initial introduction in London. However, the London artics had all been withdrawn by 2011.
caption: A van derived Ford Transit minibus with Carlyle bodywork, used on Hail and ride service from 1986
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