The Student Room Group

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Reply 1
Auto, I believe.

Probably varies, but the modernish ones you seem most places will be.

A look here gives you a few transmissions used, and then a look here shows that that one at least is auto, and says auto is standard in school buses, so guess it applied across the board.
The ones I used when I went to school were always manual... They're quite old though so I don't know if the age'll have anything to do with the transmission.
Reply 3
Leigh
Auto, I believe.

Probably varies, but the modernish ones you seem most places will be.

A look here gives you a few transmissions used, and then a look here shows that that one at least is auto, and says auto is standard in school buses, so guess it applied across the board.

Oh right thanks a lot :smile: Just wondering if the "First" buses are, you know just general buses for bus stops etc.You know if coaches are usually auto as well?
Reply 4
My dad used to be a bus driver and the ones he drove were manual. But that was years ago though :p:

I think most of the modern ones are automatic, those really small ones though (ie the older ones that are more like mini buses) are manual I think
Reply 5
I'm not sure - i'm sure the stagecoach ones where i live are manuals still.
Reply 6
Both. Depends on the model.
Modern coaches fitted with manual boxes will more often than not have an overdrive option on each gear. Although, they will more often than not be a preselect meaning you flick the OD switch and dip the clutch to engage the O/D gear rather than the typical flick the switch and the gear automatically engages.
Reply 7
I find it depends on the duty, coaches are often manual as they are long distance and you don't need to change that often, double decker and city size buses are always automatic, it would be a nightmare otherwise.

Even most double deckers from the late 60's onwards are automatic. Not sure about the routemasters.
Reply 8
why don't you ask the bus driver next time you get on the bus?
Reply 9
AT82
I find it depends on the duty, coaches are often manual as they are long distance and you don't need to change that often, double decker and city size buses are always automatic, it would be a nightmare otherwise.

Even most double deckers from the late 60's onwards are automatic. Not sure about the routemasters.



Routemasters are manual.
Reply 10
I am pretty sure First buses are autos, my gf's dad is a bus driver and i think he said they are kinda a hybrid, like a semi-automatic or something. Its complicated but essentially they are autos.
Reply 11
Our fleet, including our national express coaches are all automatic, a few old museum pieces are semi-automatic requiring you to shift up and down gears.
Reply 12
^^ Tiptronic!

Auto, but if you come to hills, need more power for overtaking whatever, you can drop it down a cog with just a button, clutchless-ly. As someone said, its a hybrid and can be found on alot of modern auto boxes in cars even.
Reply 13
I've been on 06 registered national express coaches that have been both manual and auto (obviously not on the same coach :p:)

The old double deckers (25 years old plus!) that used to do my school run had 4-speed semi-auto gearboxes - a manual with no clutch pedal. Most of the drivers never mastered the art of a smooth gearchange on those :biggrin:
Reply 14
My friend's 16-seater minibus was manual, it had 6 gears!
Reply 15
A 16 seater mini bus is usually based on a van. Hence, manual.

Actually, thinking about it, i've not seen an auto van before. Not saying they don't exist, just I've not seen one. Thrilling eh?
Reply 16
thomasp
I've been on 06 registered national express coaches that have been both manual and auto (obviously not on the same coach :p:)

The old double deckers (25 years old plus!) that used to do my school run had 4-speed semi-auto gearboxes - a manual with no clutch pedal. Most of the drivers never mastered the art of a smooth gearchange on those :biggrin:


Yeah we still have some V-reg buses. The old V-reg. Looking around it seems thats from 1979! The modern stuff breaks down far more frequently. I guess they built things properly back then! They are certainly a pain in the backside to drive and you always have your photo taken as the spotters flock in to see them.

Your NX coaches are probably different as a large proportion of it is franchised off so i guess each operator has some say in what vehicle specs they have.
Reply 17
mark1010
Yeah we still have some V-reg buses. The old V-reg. Looking around it seems thats from 1979! The modern stuff breaks down far more frequently. I guess they built things properly back then! They are certainly a pain in the backside to drive and you always have your photo taken as the spotters flock in to see them.


These were old N and S-reg, I think :biggrin:

mark1010
Your NX coaches are probably different as a large proportion of it is franchised off so i guess each operator has some say in what vehicle specs they have.


I think they were two totally different coaches - the autos were Scanias and the manuals were Caetanos.
Reply 18
OMG I was so wondering this too! :biggrin:
Reply 19
me + brim= :cool: