Minibus seating
Could there be a difference between minibus seating and van seating, and did it really matter? This was a question I couldn’t actually answer as I tried to get to grips with my next assignment.
But let me explain the reason for my curiosity about minibus seating. As a fund raiser for a local charity it had fallen to me to source a vehicle which could be both a minibus and an educational classroom. A cross between a minibus and a van seemed the agreed solution. The concept being to use the vehicle to take small groups of youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds to a pleasant outdoor environment and, once there, encourage and motivate them to improve their reading skills and hopefully generate an interest in the value of education.
My colleagues wanted a minibus (which at the time looked out of our budget) or maybe a van that we could have converted into what we required. None of us quite knew how to go about this.
For once, as it turned out, living close to the Lincolnshire fens proved to be a bit of a saviour. A local farming estate was planning the disposal of their staff minibus and we were given first refusal to purchase for a ridiculously modest price (plus a bit of sponsorship advertising for them!). We just had to have it so the decision between bus and van was taken for us. It would be a minibus!
Initial excitement was soon dimmed by the sight of the interior vehicle seating. Transporting often wet, weary and muddy personnel had taken its toll and the minibus seating was beyond repair and simply unacceptable. Nor was it in the format that we needed for group reading and study activities.
Having put my thinking hat on it was obvious I needed someone to help us supply new vehicle seating plus of course the installation. My better half was quick to suggest this was now “toys for the boys” territory and that he was happy to jump in and take over for me. No way!
Searching for minibus seating
Having called a number of so-called van and minibus converters it was somewhat discouraging to note so little interest with none providing me with much confidence. Retorts being that the job was too small or the task too complex or that I clearly didn’t appreciate the difficulty of such work was ringing in my ears by the end of these calls.
Finding a minibus seating specialist
Almost wanting to give up (but not quite) a friend recalled having seen on the local TV News a company that had helped to repair a vandalised minibus belonging to Charnwood Community Action. With something to get my teeth into it didn’t take long to track down Multi Vehicle Technology in Leicester.
There the receptionist listened carefully to my enquiry and put me through to the Managing Director. Oh my, I now anticipated another high level brush off but was in fact delighted to be listened to without interruption and then assured that changing the minibus seating, even in a bit of a worn out bus (which lets be honest it was!) would be quite a simple job and that, within legal requirements, they could lay out the seating to match the specific needs of the project. They were even willing to provide a variety of seating plan layouts for us to choose from, with no obligation whatsoever. Making things much easier for me to discuss with colleagues and for decisions to be made.
It turns out MVTech could provide single, double or triple seats in a variety of designs, head restraints and seatbelt options. What’s more, as the seats are all manufactured in Leicester I was assured that it would be possible to choose our own
trim (provided we didn’t get too carried away with luxury leather!).
And the icing on the cake for me was the suggestion to include in the design a rear facing tip up seat that had an M3 category rating. It came with integral 3 point lap and diagonal seat belt and like the rest of MVTech seating it too would be available in a choice of trims.
This seat would be simply ideal for the Mentor to use both during transit, and whilst leading the group sessions. For the technically inclined the total weight would be 12.5 kgs making it no problem to include in the proposed specification.
More than just bus seating
Even more encouraging was the suggestion that in addition to replacing the seating, MVTech could refresh the interior and add a much wished for screen for connection to a lap top with internet connection. I hadn’t even realised this would be possible. Other non seating options could also be supplied such as entrance step, handrails and if need be wheelchair access. All welcome but, with budget restraints, something for us to consider in the future.
That question about minibus seating and van seating?
You may ask, but I’m not the font of all knowledge on vehicle seating and at the time of writing I realise I haven’t actually tried to find out the answer to my original question. However, the good news is that I know a company that can answer all of your minibus and van seating queries!
If you need to replace passenger seating in a minibus (and dare I risk saying it…a van) then I recommend you call Multi Vehicle Technology on 0116 326 0989 and you’ll get some seriously professional and friendly help from the team there. Alternatively you can visit their web site at www.multivehicletechnology.co.uk or write to sales@multivehicletechnology.co.uk
