Small buses based on light commercial underpinnings are, on the face, of it an appealing option for subsidised services in rural areas. They are cheaper to acquire than conventional single-deckers, and they're more frugal, too. There remains, however, a question mark over their durability and reliability - and how well they stand up to seven days a week operations over severely potholed country roads or, for that matter, speed humps and stop-start suburban traffic. This is a conundrum being addressed by KFS Special Vehicles, says sales and marketing director Steve Elwell. Currently merging with Advanced Minibus (of Clay Cross, Derbyshire), the Andover, Hampshire-based company says this year will see a revised version of its 4.5-tonne gross 16-seater-plus-driver Freedom minibus.
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