Find Out the Types and Bus Capacity for Tourist!

Tourism travel is an extraordinary experience. Taking groups of travelers to beautiful places, exciting cities, and unforgettable adventures is an honor. However, behind the success of this trip, there is one factor that is often overlooked but crucial: the capacity of the tour bus.

For tourism travel service providers, understanding tour bus capacity is key to planning and running a successful trip. Incorrect capacity can result in congestion, inconvenience, and even safety risks. To avoid this problem, let’s start by understanding the different types of tour buses and the capacities they offer through the following TransTRACK article!

Types of tourist buses

The types of tour buses can be differentiated based on their size, facilities and interior design. Below are several types of tourist buses that are commonly used:

Mini bus

• Passenger Capacity: Mini buses are usually designed to accommodate 10 to 25 passengers. This makes it suitable for small groups or trips with a limited number of passengers.
• Maneuverability: Due to their small size, mini buses are easier to maneuver on narrow streets and sharp turns.
• Comfort: Some mini buses may be equipped with basic amenities such as air conditioning, comfortable seats, and possibly a toilet depending on the specifications and service provider.

Medium Bus

• Passenger Capacity: Medium buses can usually carry 25 to 40 passengers, making them a good choice for larger groups.
• Versatility: They are suitable for medium and long distance travel, and are often used for group tours and intercity travel.
• Facilities: Medium buses are generally equipped with air conditioning, more comfortable seats, and sometimes TV screens or other entertainment systems.

Big Bus

• Passenger Capacity: Big buses have a larger passenger capacity, often between 40 to 60 passengers or more. They are suitable for large group trips such as city tours.
• Luxury: Some big buses may have more luxurious amenities such as very comfortable seats, efficient air conditioning, entertainment systems, and perhaps toilets.
• Intercity Travel: They are often used for intercity travel or long distance travel.

Super High Deck Bus

• Luxury Design: Super high deck buses are often luxury buses with two floors. They offer a high level of comfort and more luxurious amenities such as very comfortable seats, good air conditioning, advanced entertainment systems, and sometimes food service.
• High Capacity: They have a very large passenger capacity, capable of transporting a large number of people.

High Deck Buses

• Passenger Capacity: High deck buses have a fairly large passenger capacity, often between 40 to 60 passengers or more.
• Long Distance Travel: They are usually used for long distance travel or city touring and may have amenities such as air conditioning and comfortable seats.

Double Glass High Deck Bus

• View: This type of bus may have a design with two layers of glass on top to provide passengers with a better view. It is a popular choice for scenic trips such as mountain or beach trips.

Choosing the right type of tour bus depends on the needs and preferences of the tourist group. Passenger capacity, purpose of travel, desired level of comfort, and travel budget are factors to consider when selecting the appropriate bus type.

Tourism bus capacity

The capacity of a tour bus can vary depending on the type of bus and its interior design. Below are estimated passenger capacities for several common types of tour buses:

Mini bus

Capacity: Can usually carry around 10 to 25 passengers. This capacity may vary depending on the size and configuration of seats in the bus.

Medium Bus

Capacity: Medium buses usually have a capacity of between 25 to 40 passengers, depending on the interior design and seat configuration.

Big Bus

Capacity: Big buses have a larger capacity, often between 40 to 60 passengers or even more depending on the size and type of bus.

Super High Deck Bus

Capacity: Super high deck buses are very large and luxurious buses. They can carry a large number of passengers, perhaps up to 60 to 100 passengers depending on the interior design and size of the bus.

High Deck Buses

Capacity: High deck buses usually have quite a large capacity, often between 40 to 60 passengers or more, depending on the type and interior design.

Double Glass High Deck Bus

Capacity: The capacity of a double glass high deck bus is usually around 40 to 60 passengers, but keep in mind that this design may sacrifice some space to give passengers a better view.

Please note that the above figures are estimates and actual capacity may vary depending on the bus manufacturer, interior configuration and specific requirements of the tour bus service provider. It is important to confirm passenger capacity with the bus provider when booking to ensure that the bus selected is adequate for your group of travelers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Tourist Bus Capacity

Each type of tour bus capacity has different characteristics in terms of size, comfort, and flexibility. The selection of the right bus capacity depends on the needs of the number of passengers, the distance traveled, and the desired facilities. The following is an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each tour bus capacity:

Small Bus (Microbus/Minibus)

Small buses or microbuses generally have a capacity of between 10-19 passengers. This type is often used for small group travel or family tours. Examples of popular microbuses are the Isuzu ELF and Toyota Hiace.

• Advantages:
  • Flexible: Its small size allows the microbus to reach tourist sites with narrow or winding access roads.
  • Cost Efficiency: Fuel consumption is more efficient than medium or large buses.
  • Practical for Small Groups: Suitable for family trips, small teams, or tour groups with a limited number of participants.
  • Easy Maneuvering: Easier to drive on urban roads and difficult terrain.
• Disadvantages:
  • Limited Capacity: Can only accommodate a maximum of 19 passengers, making it unsuitable for large groups.
  • Minimalist Facilities: Usually has standard features such as air conditioning and regular seats, but lacks entertainment such as TV or karaoke.
  • Narrow Luggage Space: Limited luggage space makes it difficult to accommodate a large amount of luggage.

Medium Bus

Medium buses have a capacity of between 20-35 passengers. This type is often chosen for medium group travel, such as school groups or small companies.

• Advantages:
  • Medium Capacity: Ideal for medium-sized tour groups, not too small or large.
  • Greater Space: Compared to microbuses, medium buses offer more spacious cabin space with a 2-2 seat configuration.
  • Suitable for Medium Travel: Convenient to use for short to medium distance trips, such as inter-city.
  • Affordable Rental Price: Operating costs are cheaper than large buses.
• Disadvantages:
  • Limited Luggage Space: Although more spacious than microbuses, medium buses still have limited luggage space for large items.
  • Less Comfortable for Long-Distance Travel: For long-distance travel, the comfort of medium buses may be less than optimal compared to large buses.
  • Not Optimal Capacity for Large Groups: If the participants are more than 35 people, more than one medium bus unit is required, which can increase the cost of the trip.

Big Bus

Big buses have a capacity of between 36-59 passengers. This type is most commonly used for large tour groups such as school study tours, pilgrimage trips, or corporate tours.

• Advantages:
  • Large Capacity: Able to accommodate many passengers in one trip, making it more efficient for large groups.
  • Complete Facilities: Equipped with various facilities such as reclining seats, air conditioning, TV, karaoke, toilet, and spacious luggage.
  • Comfortable for Long Trips: Ergonomic seats and entertainment features make it ideal for long-distance inter-city or inter-province travel.
  • Cost Efficiency for Large Groups: The cost per passenger is cheaper if the group is large.
• Disadvantages:
  • Difficult to Maneuver on Narrow Roads: The large size limits access to tourist sites with small, winding or hilly roads.
  • Higher Fuel Consumption: Operating costs are more expensive than small or medium buses.
  • Higher Rental Costs: The rental price of large buses is generally more expensive, especially if they are equipped with premium amenities.
  • Requires Experienced Drivers: Driving a large bus requires special skills, especially in difficult terrains or long journeys.

Tourism Bus Capacity Comparison Summary

Bus Type	Capacity	Advantages	Disadvantages
Small Bus	10-19 passengers	Flexible, cost-effective, suitable for small groups	Limited capacity, minimalist facilities
Medium Bus	20-35 passengers	Medium capacity, more spacious, affordable cost	Limited luggage, less ideal for long distance
Large Bus	36-59 passengers	Large capacity, complete facilities, comfortable	Difficult to maneuver, high fuel consumption

Each type of tour bus capacity has its own advantages and disadvantages. The selection of the right capacity should be tailored to the number of passengers, the distance traveled, and the facilities required. For small group travel, small bus is a flexible and cost-effective choice. Meanwhile, medium bus is suitable for medium-sized groups, and large bus is ideal for long trips with large groups that require comfort and complete facilities.

In concluding this article, we have discussed how important it is to understand the capacity of a tour bus to plan a successful and comfortable trip. However, in the ever-evolving modern era, there are technologies that can help improve passenger experience and travel management efficiency.

One solution that can help in this case is Passenger Counting from TransTRACK. By using this technology, you can easily and accurately count the number of passengers boarding your tour bus. This technology not only helps you monitor bus capacity in real-time, but also allows you to better optimize your bus usage.

With accurate data about the number of passengers, you can avoid excess capacity which poses a risk to passenger safety and comfort. You can also better manage travel scheduling and planning, ensuring that all passengers have appropriate seats and the necessary amenities.

With Passenger Counting from TransTRACK, you can take proactive steps to improve your passenger experience and operational efficiency. So, don’t hesitate to consider this technology as part of your strategy to better manage your tour bus. With this, you can provide a better travel experience and ensure that all your passengers feel comfortable and safe while exploring their tourist destinations.