Patent ID: 8371589

Claim:
A mass transit vehicle, having at least four tires, mounted on at least four wheels, at least two mounted on a front axle, and at least two on a rear axle respectively, the mass transit vehicle comprising: a frame assembly adapted for supporting a body structure including at least one passenger entranceway, wherein the frame assembly includes a variable sectional height; the body structure including a driver portion disposed forward of a passenger portion wherein the at least one passenger entranceway is located in the driver portion and the driver portion and the passenger portion includes a floor having one, two, three, or more panel portions disposed at an angle to for an incline, the passenger entranceway defined by a door frame with a lower portion disposed at an angle of at least greater than about 5° and less than about 30° relative to a fore/aft axis of the mass transit vehicle and the lower portion of the passenger entranceway disposed no greater than 35.5 cm from a flat surface, when the wheels of the mass transit vehicle are disposed upon the flat surface; a drive motor connected to a drive transmission, both at least partially supported by the frame assembly disposed substantially near a rear end of the vehicle and disposed at a drive angle, for transmitting power to the rear axle via a drive shaft that is substantially unitary; a suspension system connected to the body structure and the frame assembly; and a deployable ramp connectively disposed at the lower portion of the passenger entranceway adapted to provide an access pathway from at least the flat surface upon which the wheels of the mass transit vehicle are disposed to the floor of the passenger portion.