You, an enlighted minibus driver, knowing the rules of section 19 of the Transport Act, have already worked out that your organisation qualifies for an exemption to the PSV operator’s licence. The next step is where do you obtain the section 19 permit from and are there yet more rules to be aware of?

The following rules concern who can drive the minibus. These ensure that drivers may use a Section 19 permit because they meet the following requirements.

All permit drivers must be aged 21 or more.

If a driver passed the ‘car’ driving test (category B on a photocard licence) before the 1st January 1997, he or she will hold the automatic category D1 entitlement to drive a 9 to 16 seat minibus. This will allow such a vehicle to be driven under the permit for as long as the driver holds the D1 entitlement.
When the licence expires, the driver, having proved he or she meets the required health standards by passing a compulsory medical examination, may receive a renewal of D1 entitlement lasting 3 years.

If a driver passed the test on or after the 1st January 1997, automatic D1 entitlement won’t have been granted. The driver may drive a vehicle with up to eight passenger seats. However, he or she may drive a 9 to 16 seat minibus if

(a) He or she has held a category B licence for 2 years
(b) He or she receives nothing more than out-of-pocket expenses for driving the vehicle
(c) If aged 70 or more, he or she can pass the medical examination for category D1 entitlement
(d) The minibus’s gross weight is 3.5 tonnes or less, or 4.25 tonnes or less, including specialized equipment for disabled passengers

Now for the practicalities of acquiring a Section 19 permit for a minibus. The first of these is how to apply. A permit is normally granted to a specific group, a scout group, for example. However, it is possible for an individual named on behalf of such a body to be granted a permit. With this in mind, you need to know where to apply and there are several sources of application forms, including

Your area’s Traffic Commissioner

Your local authority

Umbrella originations, which are bodies that assist with or co-ordinate community groups’ activates in the area. Examples include The Scout Association and Age Concern and these umbrella organisations are permitted to issue Section 19 permits to groups that are associated with them.

A designated body. These are national voluntary organisations and in some cases, they can issue permits to other bodies with similar interests.

Schools and other bodies associated with education, provided they fulfil the authority’s duties under the Education Act 1944.

As you can see, tracking down an application form will require some web searches and/or phone calls but there are some aspects of Section 19 permits that are easy to convey. For example, the cost. Currently, a permit sourced via your area Traffic Commissioner seven pounds. Local authorities set their own charge, but the maximum appears to be around the twelve pound mark.

A section 19 permit for a minibus lasts indefinitely and each comes with a disc, to be displayed on the vehicle, in the same way as a tax disc. The rule is one permit, one vehicle at one time but permits can be swapped from minibus to minibus, provided each comes under the small bus parameters mentioned above. You can use your permit on a hired minibus but if another non-profit making organisation rents your minibus, it cannot use your permit(s). It must use its own. Finally, if you lose your permit and/or disc, you can request duplicates. However, if either turns up, you must return them immediately.

In the final analysis, a Section 9 permit is a licence to charge your passengers fairly and legally, without a PSV licence. Taking advantage of this exemption makes sense, just as meeting the regulations to do so is easy.

Louise Slee is a Web Marketer and driving enthusiast for over 25 years, with no penalty points to date! See her articles at Minibus Club where she imparts some useful driving and travel tips when you are out and about in your minibus

[tags]minibus, minibus insurance[/tags]

Answering the question of who can and who cannot drive a minibus is simple provided you are given a little help. The DVLAs regulations become more accessible if their common denominator is used as a guide. This is the category of licence held by the minibus driver-to-be and the categories break down like this;

Category B
A Category B licence is a car licence and with one, you can drive a minibus with between 9 and 16 passenger seats if;

1. You are driving socially for a non-commercial body and not driving for hire or reward (unless using a permit).

2. You are aged 21 or over.

3. You have had your licence for 2 years or more.

4. You are driving on a voluntary basis.

5. Your minibus weighs no more than 3.5 tonnes (that is not including specialised equipment for disabled passengers. An extra 750kg is allowed to cover the weight of such equipment for disabled passengers or wheelchair users.)

6. At 70 or more, you meet the medical requirements associated with a Category D1 licence.

7. You are not being paid, in cash or kind, apart from receiving out-of-pocket expenses.

8. You are not towing a trailer.

9. You are driving in the UK.

So, there are requirements to be met but none are particularly difficult to understand. However, there is no time to feel smug because there is some more. Here, licence category and chronology interact.

Category B Licence issued before the 1st January 1997

If you had a car licence from before this date, you can drive a minibus subject to these rules;

A. You are aged 21 or more.

B. The minibus has no more than 17 seats, including the drivers seat.

C. You are not driving for hire or reward.

Again, fairly simple but then there are the new rules. New, is not too accurate a prefix for these rules, as the date shows, but they are perfectly clear.

New rules from 1 January 1998

You keep your minibus driving entitlement, in the UK and on temporary visits aboard and for non-hire or reward use until you need to renew your licence.

To retain your minibus entitlement (that is, Category D1 and D1+E not for hire or reward) you must make a special application, which also means meeting a higher medical standard.

A successful application renews your minibus entitlement for three years, subject to the above limitations concerning where you drive and what you receive for driving there. Should your Category D1 and D1+E status not be renewed, you might still be able to drive a minibus under certain circumstances. When you must renew your licence, your reminder letter will come with the necessary advice enclosed.

This leaves three groups to be considered, which we can call young drivers, medically restricted drivers and older drivers;

Category B Licence issued after the 1st January 1997

If you have this kind of licence, Category D1 will not be on it. However, you can still drive a minibus but if you also want to tow a trailer, you must pass a further test to add +E to your licence.

Medically Restricted Licence

Generally speaking, all drivers have to renew their licence on reaching the age of 70. However, younger holders of a restricted medical licence are also subject to the new rules. Fortunately, driving a non-commercial minibus voluntarily is still allowed, until the driver reaches their 70th birthday

Older Drivers

When minibus drivers reach 70, a licence renewal becomes necessary, followed by renewals at three-year intervals. The official line is that, DVLA requires confirmation at age of 70 that no medical disability is present. Thereafter, licence renewal applications need to be accompanied by a medical self-declaration.

The solution to questions about which licence entitles you to drive a minibus is easy to express. In short, you might not need the licence categories you have but you must have the licence categories you need.

Louise Slee is a Web Marketer and driving enthusiast for over 25 years, with no penalty points to date! See her articles at Minibus Club where she imparts some useful driving and travel tips when you are out and about in your minibus

[tags]minibus[/tags]

Driving a minibus is exactly like driving a car, right? This statement is fine but for the word, exactly. A minibus has a car-like cockpit, the same type of controls operate the onboard facilities so the behaviour is similar to that of a car. That said, you get the benefits of a high driving position and the enhanced vision that goes with it. However, there are significant differences and adapting your driving style to suit is important.

The main difference between a car and a minibus can be expressed in one word: scale. It is obvious that a minibus is the bigger vehicle and its greater weight must be allowed for. Driving a minibus is like driving a car on a larger scale.

In terms of size, it is best to think of your minibus as a box on wheels. Its nose may be shorter than the bonnet of your car but the tail extends much further behind the driving seat. It is also considerably wider than a car, as well as taller. No matter how wide-ranging the cover provided by your minibus insurance may be, you would lose out from a string of small claims from minor incidents. Pay attention to the physical footprint of your minibus on the road and your no claims discount will survive.

A simple way of doing this is used by novice drivers of larger vehicles. Jot down the external dimensions of your minibus; length, width and height, clearly on a sticky label and place it somewhere near your line of sight. You may pooh-pooh this, saying, Why do I need that, I can judge the size of my vehicle. That is fine, if in the early stages, you remember it when driving or manoeuvring in a tight spot or approaching a car-park height barrier. Your size sticker is a reminder and the alternative ugly crunching sound when you touch something would cost far, far more.

Weight is the other aspect and it is just as important. A minibus is heavier than a car, period. This is obvious on paper but less obvious are the on-road dynamic abilities of a minibus, until you are driving one. Punchy turbo diesel engine or not, a minibus will accelerate less quickly than a car. It will steer less precisely than a car, its body will roll more in corners and it will take more stopping than a car. Your driving style will soon accommodate these differences but you need to remain aware of them.

Arguably the most significant factor in the combination of the size and weight of a minibus lies in its presence on the road. Being bigger and heavier than a car, a minibus has a greater presence on the road. This gives you, the driver, a responsibility. When, for example, negotiating a roundabout or a tricky junction, you need to signal what you intend to do and do exactly what your indicators are telling other drivers. Being timid, indecisive or irresolute behind the wheel will rightly earn you the disrespect of the other drivers. Equally, being a bully will arouse anger.

Above all, remember that the drivers of larger vehicles are generally professional drivers. Minibus drivers should aim to emulate, if not assume a professional approach to driving.

Louise Slee is a Web Marketer and driving enthusiast for over 25 years, with no penalty points to date! See her articles at Minibus Club where she imparts some useful driving and travel tips when you are out and about in your minibus

[tags]Minibus[/tags]

As the financial crisis puts an ever-tightening grip on everyones funds, getting the maximum mileage from the fuel we buy is more than just desirable.

Peak Efficiency

Modern diesel engines are very efficient. As these hints and tips show, achieving the best fuel consumption is not difficult, just apply these sensible, logical rules when using your minibus. Get into the habit and you will reap significant rewards.

Prep School

Preparing your minibus to achieve the best fuel consumption is easy and much of the preparation involves one-off tasks

Tyres can be a drag. The minibus manufacturers tyre pressures are the right ones but often, you can tweak them to a slightly higher figure. Conversely, under-inflated tyres worsen economy.

Consider having economy tyres fitted next time around. Most tyre manufacturers offer tyres that give better mpg.

Got freeloading passengers? You may feel that you need your de-icer year-round, that the coats, Wellington boots and seventeen paperbacks in the back are essential. Yet everything aboard is dead weight. Take items like a fire extinguisher and a small tool kit but leave the rest at home, do not give it a free ride.

Must you carry a full load of fuel all the time? Certainly not. Unless you know you will be driving for many miles or to places where the garages close early, fill up with only as much fuel as you need, plus a percentage for emergencies. Hoarding heavy fuel aboard for no good reason is uneconomical.

Are you using the best fuel? The high-performance diesel fuels on offer can be the more efficient in modern minibuses. Try calculating the difference from your mileometer. As the engines electronics adapt to the new fuel, the result may surprise you.

Beware of brewing your own fuel, from cooking oil, for example. A modern engines fuel pump is a precision instrument; the wrong fuel could destroy it.

The Pilots Briefing

The minibuss maker can only offer its user so much. How you drive can make a vast difference to economy.

Any internal combustion engine is least efficient when it is cold. Always start driving from cold, warming a vehicle at rest is very costly.

Drive efficiently. Diesel engines are low revving but have a broad power band. Use this to get into the highest possible gear quickly.

Moderate your speed. A higher average speed may save you time but the greater road drag and wind resistance are expensive on fuel.

Plan your route carefully. A consistent cruising speed on an open road is far more economical than continual acceleration, gear changing and braking. Try to use motorways or dual carriageways wherever possible.

Pay attention to when you time your journey. Jams occur at commuting times, even on motorways. Steer clear at these times, or make your stops while the office workers are travelling.

Get a satnav with TMC (Traffic Message Channel) technology, then you can avoid traffic jams using its live updates.

Louise Slee is a Web Marketer and driving enthusiast for over 25 years, with no penalty points to date! See her articles at Minibus Club where she imparts some useful driving and travel tips when you are out and about in your minibus

[tags]minibus[/tags]

Your minibus is always there and you can simply jump aboard and use it. Or can you? You might think so but without the regular pre-driving checks it needs, your minibus may let you down, sooner or later. Getting into a weekly routine of checking over your minibus does not take much time or effort and will reward you because your minibus will remain reliable and therefore dependable.

Starting under the bonnet makes sense. Regardless of whether it runs on petrol or diesel, your minibus needs the same under bonnet checks. Such as? Oil and water are the lifeblood of an engine and if either runs low, the engine will suffer. Often, you can check the coolant level of a minibus by looking at the header tank. If the level is low, top it up but do not attempt this if the engine is hot as releasing the cap of a hot water system can unleash a scalding geyser.

It is also wise to check the engine oil level of your minibus when the engine is cold and before starting your journey. Dipping the oil then will give you an accurate reading and there are usually level marks on the dipstick to give you an idea of how much oil to add. Your minibus handbook will tell you how much oil represents the difference between the low and high marks. Moreover, it will tell you what kind of oil you should be using and where the fresh oil should be poured into the engine.

Four further level checks apply under the bonnet and three of these are safety-related. The first is the brake fluid level. As with the coolant, the level in the see-though brake fluid reservoir can be directly observed, do not forget to check the clutch fluid level, if your minibus has a hydraulically operated clutch. The second level to check is that of the power steering fluid. Often, the reservoir has a tiny dipstick under its cap. Level check three concerns the screen wash fluid. Make sure that the bottle is full , top it up with a mixture of clean water and fresh screen wash fluid. The last of our quartet of under bonnet checks is often overlooked. The level of electrolyte in the battery is important; provided it can be checked (some batteries are no-maintenance items). Should the level be low, replenish the cells of the battery with distilled water, dry batteries are for torches!

Your minibus needs further checks above decks. Keeping the tyres up to pressure goes without saying but do not forget the spare tyre. While at ground level, look at state of the tyres of your minibus. Are the treads unworn? Any cuts or bulges? Any odd wear patterns? No? Good!

Lastly, lump the remaining aspects under the general heading of glass. Clean the windscreen and all windows. Do the same for the mirrors and finish off by wiping over and checking the lights of your minibus.

Keeping your minibus in top condition using these easy maintenance tasks soon becomes second nature. You should naturally be still more scrupulous if a long trip is in the offing but making your minibus housekeeping is a regular assignment which means you are likely to nip any trouble in the bud. Whats more, these little chores can preserve your spotless minibus insurance record. Knowing your tyres, lights, glass and under bonnet items are in prime condition means you are unlikely to suffer an accident or commit a traffic offence through missing a safety-related or legal shortcoming.

Louise Slee is a Web Marketer and driving enthusiast for over 25 years, with no penalty points to date! See her articles at Minibus Club where she imparts some useful driving and travel tips when you are out and about in your minibus

[tags]minibus[/tags]

The Dodge Sprinter is a versatile, few efficient vehicle that is appropriate for commercial and private use. This German-built vehicle was originally sold under the Mercedes-Benz logo until, in 2003, it appeared in America as the Dodge Sprinter. It has been recently, redesigned in 2007, to better meet the needs and desires of clients. The technologically-advanced van has been engineered to last through the years and provide a large payload, fuel economy, quality, and a powerful, well-build engine.

The Dodge Sprinter comes in a variety of different versions. First, it can be ordered as a passenger van or a cargo van. The passenger version comes with spacious seating with an additional 2 inches of width and plenty of leg room for each row. Also, the high roof makes it easy to maneuver inside the van.

There is even an option to get a 6-foot-4-inch high roof, which allows for even more room and carrying capacity especially for the cargo version. Seating is not standard and it can be ordered a variety of ways depending on desired seating capacity and hauling space.

However, the maximum seating capacity for this vehicle is 12 individuals. The look and feel of the van is sleek and stylish with over 20 available colors accented with black and chrome. The entire also comes in a variety of colors and options including the choice between cloth and vinyl seat covers.

In addition to these stylish and room features, the Dodge Sprinter also comes with many safety features that adds countless value to the vehicle. Available is the ParkSense rear park system. This feature assists the driver by using sound waves (sonar) to detect potential obstructions while backing up.

Light monitors are also placed in the side and rear view mirrors to alert you to the distance between the vehicle and a stationary object. Also, to help in backing up and to get a visual on what is happening behind the vehicle, the Dodge Sprinter can come with a rear view camera. This features a 3.5 inch screen in the cap.

Additional safety features in this van include halogen headlamps with automatic light beam adjustment to keep the headlights level even while hauling a heavy load. Also, it has a light and rain sensors. The light sensor turns on the headlamps when it gets dark outside. The rain sensor will adjust the speed of the windshield wipers based on how intense the rain is falling.

The frame of the body also comes with built in impact beams that protect the passengers and the cargo from side impacts. Also, the frame has been engineered to absorb the force of a collision and radiated it through the frame. The front of the vehicle offers a crumple feature that protects the driver and front passenger from head-on collisions.

Finally, the cab offers front and side airbags to assist during a collision and protect its passengers from potential blunt trauma, which can cause devastating physical effects. All of these safety features add up to protect your prized cargo, whether it is your family or business.

The Dodge Sprinter combines German technology with exceptional safety and versatility for American roads. Alabama Sprinter dealer offers great deal on Sprinters. Visit www.alabamasprinter.com to find a Sprinter van that’s just right for you.

[tags]cargo dodge sprinter, dodge sprinter, dodge sprinter dealers, dodge sprinter manual, dodge sprinter[/tags]

You probably don’t often associate a luxurious and stylish auto with cargo or hauling soccer teams. But that’s exactly what the new Sprinter is being recognized for in the latest reviews. It’s a full-sized van that maintains the amenities and class you expect from this auto maker, but with more space that can be customized to your specific needs.

The cargo version of the Sprinter was built to haul everything from pool equipment to storage boxes. It still has superior handling despite the wide body, making it much more graceful than the jalopies that many commercial business owners utilize. For a car with its storage capacity, it has excellent fuel economy. With a variety of options available, you can tailor the car to suit your business needs. The 2008 model will feature optional power-sliding door for smoother access. You also have the choice of body lengths and roof heights—no more strapping ladders to the outside.

For those who think outside of the box, the Sprinter makes an ideal vehicle for charter and other travel services. It’s roomy enough to fit a good-sized group including luggage. It would make an excellent option for more intimate tours and transportation services, providing plenty of room.

The Sprinter is also available as a passenger van. With a multitude of customizations available, you can make it the ideal family vehicle. Add-ons include parking assist, six CD changer, review camera, and heated seats. The engine, a 3.0 Liter turbodiesel V6, can tow a good-sized load. For those apprehensive to diesel, there is a gasoline V6 option available.

One of the most talked about features in reviews is its adaptability to suburban life. It can be bought in both passenger and cargo models, but its sleek exterior and comfortable seating arrangements make it an ideal vehicle for a large family as well. It has ten removable seats so you can adjust the car to fit your needs. Going camping with the dog and kids? Pull out a few seats, throw your equipment in the back and you’ll still have room to spare. No longer, cramped car rides. And since its light at the gas pump, it is a more economical choice than an RV.

For those concerned about drivability, its superior handling, specially balanced to account for its height and width, makes it a great choice for families. It also comes equipped with anti-lock breaks and an emergency window, making it a safe choice for those with children.

The Sprinter also comes with standard features that you won’t find in other full-sized vans. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel and automatic climate control are just two of the perks included. These features, when combined with the Sprinter’s ease of customization, make it a sound investment.

So, if you’re tired of compromising style for size, and size for style, you might consider trying out the Sprinter. You can be assured a comfortable and smooth drive.

Mercedes Sprinter is the choice of many families after it being shown as best in the latest reviews. It has all facilities to make your drive comfortable and smooth and caters all needs of your family. For more details, visit www.lakeshorechrysler.com/.

[tags]mercedes benz sprinter, mercedes benz sprinter van, mercedes dodge freightliner sprinter[/tags]

The Dodge Sprinter is really something to be excited about. This is not a tiny mini-van for soccer moms to cram the kids into; the Dodge Sprinter is a new full-size van model.

Most full-size vans on the road are beasts from a previous era. They don’t make many of these anymore, and these old models that are still on the road are usually clunky gas hogs. They’re the kind of vehicles that keep you in suspense every time you get on the highway, wondering if this is the day it dies. For van lovers, the Dodge Sprinter offers something new, high-quality and functional.

Not Your Typical Family Van:
The Dodge Sprinter was made with commercial uses in mind. This means it is not only a great vehicle for van lovers and heavy-stuff-haulers, but it can also make a great company vehicle. It can also function as a family van. It seats the whole family and more, or you can take out the seats and have more cargo space than you ever dreamed of.

This vehicle takes all the features of full-sized vans and fine tunes them. It has the highest ceilings, the widest back door, and the lowest step-on height of any vehicle in its class. This makes it easier to use and more comfortable.

When buying a Sprinter, you can opt for a number of unique features. Of course, these are extras, but they are worth checking out. Features like climate control, heated seats, rear parking assistance, sun roof and telescopic steering control set it apart from other models on the market.

For commercial use vans, it has features that help keep your cargo secure, like skid protection, a lashing rail system, and load securing features. These options may seem a bit overwhelming to look at, but it’s well worth building your own to get exactly what you want.

Finally, it’s not just useful; it’s also stylish. Look at the sloped front and the sleek design, and you’ll see that it’s a van that drives well and looks good. The secret is that the model was actually created by none other than Mercedes Benz. It is sold in the States by Dodge. This is why it looks so nice.

Dodge Sprinter Specs
The Sprinter has a 3.0-L V6 diesel engine and a V6 gas engine, so you can choose which suits you. It comes with standard features, 5-speed automatic transmission and 3.92 axle ratio. It weighs in at just under 10,000 pounds, with the 2500 model a little lighter. It has 154 horsepower.

You can choose between two vehicle length sizes and roof heights. It has black cloth bucket seats, and the all recline, including the front passenger seat. The Sprinter starts at about $35,000.

The Dodge Sprinter is a breath of fresh air for van lovers everywhere. This sleek new model is both useful for hauling stuff, and comfortable for hauling people. Whether you’re into road trips, camping, carrying lots of kids, or hauling heavy stuff for work, the Dodge Sprinter is a vehicle to consider.

Want a high-quality, functional van that was designed specifically with van-lovers in mind? Mississippi sprinter dealer will give you excellent customer service and satisfaction. Visit www.mississippisprinter.com to get a free on-line quote.

[tags]freightliner sprinter cargo van, dodge sprinter, dodge sprinter van[/tags]

Minivans, SUV’s, and the glut of other vehicles marketed towards families all have one thing in common: they’re big on the outside, cramped on the inside. Not only that, but they aren’t practical for longer trips that involve packing luggage for yourself and all of your kids. They may be adequate for the average nuclear family, but if you’ve got the makings of a small soccer team living under one roof, you might need an upgrade.

Say hello to the Mercedes Sprinter, Chrysler’s response to the sea of awkward and unattractive vans that have flooded the sales floors. The passenger version of the Sprinter is stylish and sleek with tinted rear windows and a graceful sloping front end. Packed with unique standard features, multiple customization options, and tons of available add-ons, the Mercedes Sprinter is taking the family van to the next level.

The highlight of the Mercedes Sprinter is easily its spacious interior. It has ten full-sized, removable seats and with your choice of body lengths (233 or 273 inches) and roof heights (standard or high). If that isn’t enough room for your family, you probably need to pack less or buy a bus.

The other perks about the Mercedes Sprinter is that you can easily tailor it to suit your family’s needs. Its towing capacity (between 5,000 and 7,500 lbs) and cargo area make it an ideal van for long road trips. With a 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6 with 154 horsepower (optional 3.5-liter gasoline V6 also available), the Mercedes Sprinter gets better gas mileage and fuel economy than many smaller vans, so those long drives will be easy on the wallet.

The Mercedes Sprinter can also be converted into a comfortable camper. Its durable flooring and seating flexibility make it simple to transform it from van to home on wheels. Many Sprinter owners have had great success in adding beds, mini fridges, and other amenities to their van.

Other features that make the Sprinter such an appealing family van is a choice of two wheelbases, either 144 or 170 inches, five-speed automatic transmission, stability control, standard climate control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, antilock brakes, and an emergency window. If you want to customize your van even further, Chrysler has many available extras such as rear parking assist, sun roof, and heated seats.

There is no doubt that the Sprinter is a big vehicle. Its width may appear imposing, but it is a surprisingly agile and graceful drive. A popular van in Europe for many years, the Sprinter was engineered to navigate the narrow streets and tight turns common in other countries.

Although you may have seen Sprinters being used as cargo, delivery, or shuttle vans, the passenger version is a great option for those looking for a comfortable and attractive family vehicle. Chrysler has adapted it to suit a suburban lifestyle while maintaining a reasonable price. If you and your family are in the market for a cushy ride with room to spare, the Mercedes Sprinter is the van for you.

If you have a big family and often take them for some outing, then Mercedes Sprinter is the best option for you. It has all facilities to make your drive comfortable and smooth. Space, speed and fuel economy makes it suitable for your family. For details, visit http://lakeshorechrysler.com/.

[tags]mercedes benz sprinter, mercedes benz sprinter van, mercedes dodge freightliner sprinter[/tags]

Travelers on the streets of European cities can now enjoy being transported from one place to another in the comfort of the Mercedes Sprinter Minibus. This model was introduced in 2006 at the International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany, and since then they have quickly taken over a sizeable market share. The fleet of buses now includes several models including the Sprinter Transfer, Sprinter Travel, Sprinter Mobility, and Sprinter City 65.

The History of the Sprinter
This vehicle was first built under the Mercedes-Benz label by Daimler AG in Germany and Argentina in 1995. It was only introduced in Europe for several years and it was designed to replace the full size Mercedes-Benz T1 van that had not been truly updated since the 1970s. Launched in the United States in 2001 as a Freightliner, it was marketed as a commercial vehicle and a passenger vehicle in 2003.

The City 65 Model is one of the Most Popular European Bus Choices
The City 65 vehicle is the best-selling regular-service minibus in Western Europe. It is a larger model than past designs with 7.7 meters in length compared with 6.9 meters in the older Sprinter City 35. It can also accommodate up to 30 passengers. The engine specs include a Euro 4-cyclinder turbodiesel engine with 150 horsepower or 110kW of output.

For the 2009 year, there are plenty of great upgrades in the City 65 model. First, there will be more low-floor area between the axles; ten percent more, in fact, making it easier and roomier for passengers to get on and off the minibus. The first row of seats has also been moved down to this low-floor zone and the higher floor is just one step up.

There will also be a new ticket counter that will make transactions more hassle-free and the fire extinguisher and breakdown kit will be able to fit within the counter. The new model will feature rear air suspension as well as a suspension driver seat. A new LED matrix sign will illuminate the destination of the minibus and the roof hatch will be operated electrically.

The Mercedes Sprinter is Very Versatile
While it does make an excellent minibus transport, it has found wide use as other types of service vehicles in many parts of the world. For example, the vehicles have been adapted into ambulances with extensive use in Hong Kong, London, and Brazil. They are very popular for cargo transport as well as courier and packaging services.

A Well Built Vehicle
The Sprinter has become such a popular vehicle of choice by so many because of its excellent fuel economy of about 25 miles to the gallon, and it low ownership costs. The very unique and recognizable design provides for plenty of head room or easy cargo stacking.

Plus, all sorts of helpful features like rear parking assist and integrated phone connectivity make it very attractive to a wide variety of business owners. Whether you want to haul around happy passengers or heavy cargo, the Mercedes Sprinter is a great commercial vehicle choice.

A model of fine quality workmanship and German engineering, the Mercedes Sprinter is not just for Europeans. Versatile in its uses, the Sprinter is perfect for those who need a delivery van, chassis cab or a minibus. Find out more at www.louisianasprinter.com.

[tags]Mercedes Sprinter, Mercedes Sprinter van, Mercedes Sprinter vans[/tags]