New & Used Articulated Buses For Sale

What is an articulated bus?

An articulated bus is longer than a standard public transit bus, with a pivoting joint that connects two sections, allowing greater capacity while maintaining manoeuvrability. These buses are commonly used on busy urban routes, park-and-ride services, and shuttle operations where carrying more passengers with fewer vehicles improves efficiency and reduces congestion.

What makes articulated buses different from regular city buses?

Articulated buses differ from standard single-decker city buses primarily in length, capacity, and design. They feature a pivoting joint that connects two sections, allowing the vehicle to carry significantly more passengers while remaining flexible enough to navigate urban roads.

Key differences include:

• Higher passenger capacity, reducing the number of vehicles needed on busy routes
• Improved manoeuvrability compared to rigid buses of similar length
• Better efficiency on high-demand routes, such as city centres and park-and-ride services
• Reduced congestion, as more passengers can be transported per vehicle

These characteristics make articulated buses particularly well suited to busy urban networks where demand regularly exceeds the capacity of standard city buses.

What to consider before buying an articulated bus

Articulated buses are a strategic operational investment, typically chosen to handle high passenger volumes efficiently. Before purchasing, it’s important to assess whether the vehicle aligns with your routes, infrastructure, and service requirements.

Key considerations include:

• Route type and passenger demand: Articulated buses are best suited to high-frequency routes where demand regularly exceeds the capacity of standard single-deck buses.
• Turning radius and road suitability: While designed for urban use, articulated buses perform best on planned routes with sufficient road width and junction clearance.
• Depot space and maintenance facilities: Their extended length requires appropriate depot access, parking space, and maintenance capability.
• Fuel type: Available options may include diesel, hybrid, or electric models, depending on operational goals and emissions requirements.
• Driver training requirements: Drivers may require additional training or familiarisation to operate articulated buses safely and efficiently.
• Local authority or contract specifications: Public transport and contract operations often require compliance with specific vehicle standards, accessibility features, and emissions regulations.

Considering these factors helps ensure the vehicle selected is practical, compliant, and cost-effective over the long term.

Who uses articulated buses?

Articulated buses are used by organisations that need to transport large numbers of passengers reliably while minimising congestion and fleet size.

Common operators include:

• Local authorities and public transport operators
• Bus rapid transit (BRT) networks
• Park-and-ride services
• Airport and shuttle operators
• Contract and event transport providers

These vehicles are particularly effective where passenger demand is high and service frequency needs to be maintained efficiently.

Are articulated buses suitable for UK roads?

Yes – articulated buses are designed specifically for urban environments and are already in use across many major UK cities.

Key points to consider:

• Articulated buses are purpose-built for city and high-capacity routes
• They are commonly operated on major urban corridors and dedicated bus routes
• The pivoting joint allows improved cornering and manoeuvrability compared to rigid vehicles of similar length
• They are best suited to planned routes rather than narrow residential streets

When deployed on appropriate routes, articulated buses offer a practical and proven solution for increasing passenger capacity without increasing vehicle numbers.

What locations do we serve for articulated buses?

As a buyer-to-seller marketplace, we feature articulated buses from across the UK. Use our filters to quickly find vehicles available near you.

Why choose The Commercial Trader for your new and used articulated buses?

The Commercial Trader is one of the UK’s leading marketplaces for commercial vehicles, offering an extensive selection of articulated buses to suit a variety of operational needs at competitive prices.

Whether you operate a public transport route, private hire service, or contract fleet, our platform connects you with reputable sellers and a broad choice of bus options built to meet UK regulatory and service standards.

Learn more about us, or contact us if you have any questions.

Can I return an articulated bus?

As we operate as a buyer-to-seller marketplace, any returns policy must be agreed directly with the seller.

What licence is required to drive an articulated bus? 

To drive an articulated coach commercially in the UK, you must hold a Category D Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence (over 16 people). This requires a full UK driving licence, provisional Category D entitlement and medical examination.

What other buses and coaches do we sell? 

We sell a range of buses and coaches, including: 

• City buses for sale 
• Double-decker buses for sale 
• Executive coaches for sale 
• Heritage vehicles for sale 
• High-capacity coaches for sales 
• Midi coaches for sale
• School buses for sale 
• Single-decker buses for sale 
• Standard coaches for sale 
• VIP corporate executive coaches for sale