It's not only the size and the six wheels that make it quite a simple matter to double the price of a luxury coach. In this case, the larger engine and the approriate electricity supply is the smaller problem. Coaches now have independent suspension in the front and maybe an additional rear-axle, which may also be steerable or raiseable.

The manual gear-changing was first done away with in urban buses, soon however, it also became a convincing alternative for coaches. Semi-automatic- or fully automatic gearboxes became standard equipment. The comfort was getting close to that offered in luxury motor cars. The electronic suspension regulation was introduced very early, this of course included air-suspension and ESP.

Plastics were very prominent, in the interior as well as on the outside. A multitude of shapes, limited only by the usable space was thus possible. Because the windows are bonded they don't disturb the composition at all. Even the headlights, because they are now much more graceful, add to the aesthetic appearance. The driver's seat was always, the same as the in the truck, the best that was to be had. The atmosphere was almost cockpit- like.

Before in the future, sufficient cameras were installed, the integrated mirror-system gave a very good view of the sides and the front. The interior passenger-comfort, with tables, on-board kitchen and toilet facilities can almost be compared with that in railway coaches. The air-conditioning is in the meantime, so powerful, that they can do without separate ventilation. The price of course, can be in excess of a half a million Euros because in the meantime, there are even double-decker articulated buses.

During the rush-hour, the urban traffic could also profit from oversize buses, not extra-wide but extra-long. This started in the 1970s, when the engine in the articulated buses was moved right to the rear. Then, with the arrival of the bi-articulated bus, the engine was once again found up front. At the moment, the longest we have are 30,7 meters and can carry up to 256 passengers, the constructors swear that these 'car-trams' need even less space when cornering than the previous singly articulated bus, the same applies when reversing.

Why then, is the price of the urban bus approaching that of the luxury coach? Because a lot of electronics are used, digital electronics and by the way, not only in the buses themselves, also in the bus-stops. Telematics, as a matter of interest, was one of the early components in this type of bus, if the electric tracking with prerogative regulation over the other traffic is what we're talking about. In the meantime, passenger information and of course advertising has also come into play. 04/13