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What is a Trailer Bus?

Patrick Wensink
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Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 9,692
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A trailer bus is a type of mass transit vehicle that utilizes a semi-truck cab, but has a trailer made into seating for transporting passengers. Combining the flexibility and power of a truck with the comfort of buses, these vehicles were created in Europe nearly a century ago and remained popular for many years. Due to changing transportation needs and safety concerns, only one nation currently uses this form of a bus with any frequency.

The trailer bus was invented in the Netherlands in the 1920s. The bus' creation came out of necessity because conventional buses were being built very long to accommodate passengers, but frequently got stuck. When lengthy buses went over humped bridges, the central sections would grind against the road, stranding the bus. Trailer buses were put into production when it was discovered the independent passenger compartment provided more clearance space and did not catch on bridges.

The design was based on the articulated trailer, which was a type of bus that fused two cabin compartments together to create a single bus, much like how train cars were connected. This new bus had a semi-truck engine and cab, like the kind used to haul tractor trailers full of goods in the shipping industry. The rear was a converted trailer, outfitted to look and feel just like the cabin of a bus, but with the trailer connected at the truck's hitch.

For 50 years, from the 1930s to the 1980s, the trailer bus design was seen in use in many metropolitan areas. The trailer bus' cost benefits were one of the biggest reasons for its popularity. For example, on a traditional bus, if the engine breaks down, that bus would be inoperable until repairs were made. Likewise, if a bus' cabin grew outdated or also broke, the entire bus might need to be disposed of. The trailer bus, with its interchangeable parts, provided an efficient way to keep fleets of mass transit vehicles on the road.

During the 1980s, this form of transportation fell out of favor for many reasons. Chief among them was the improving quality of traditional bus designs. Safety concerns, however, also prompted this change, including worries about the trailer disconnections and the lengthy bus' inability to navigate tight turns. Havana, Cuba is currently the only major metropolitan area still known to use trailer buses for public transportation.

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Patrick Wensink
By Patrick Wensink
Patrick Wensink, a bestselling novelist and nonfiction writer, captivates readers with his engaging style across various genres and platforms. His work has been featured in major publications, including attention from The New Yorker. With a background in communication management, Wensink brings a unique perspective to his writing, crafting compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
Discussion Comments
By bear78 — On May 09, 2014

@serenesurface-- I saw a very old trailer bus while traveling in Europe. I even went inside and looked. It was definitely a very different idea but I can see how it could be problematic. I mean the driver had no idea what was going on in the trailer.

By ysmina — On May 08, 2014

@serenesurface-- Trailer buses are not as useful as they seem. Like the article said, they have shortcomings and that's why they are no longer preferred. Although trailer buses were used in many countries, newer buses have completely replaced them. As far as I know, they are also slowly being replaced in Cuba.

Trailer buses were the best buses available for a long time after the 1920s. World War II increased their use and production and many companies started using them. But trailer buses are very long, so it's difficult to drive them and maneuver them. They also require a conductor because the trailer is separate from the tractor unit. So someone needs to be in the trailer. The issues made the trailer bus undesirable later on.

By serenesurface — On May 08, 2014

I have seen a modern version of the trailer bus in the US. It was a trailer bus but it also looked like a charter bus. I think it is used for special events and it clearly holds a lot of people.

I don't know why trailer buses have lost popularity. I think they are very useful forms of transportation. Like the article said, the trailer or the tractor unit could be changed very easily. I also don't think that the modern versions have safety issues like their old counterparts.

Patrick Wensink
Patrick Wensink
Patrick Wensink, a bestselling novelist and nonfiction writer, captivates readers with his engaging style across various...
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