The midi-coach: the in-between size for clubs and wedding guests
Too many for a minibus, too few to fill a coach: that is where a midi-coach fits. With typically 25 to 35 seats, it carries a choir, a club outing or the guests of a mid-sized wedding in one vehicle, and it handles narrow village streets more easily than a full-size coach.
Where the smaller size helps
A midi-coach turns more easily in old towns and gets into tighter set-down spots in mountain villages. It still counts as a bus, though, so coach stop rules apply. In Lucerne, for instance, it needs the same online stop permit as a full-size coach for the old-town stops.
Luggage goes under the floor or at the rear, with less room than in a coach. For a ski week or a tour with suitcases, count the bags early. Above 16 passenger seats, the driver needs a full category D licence instead of D1.
On board
- On the Lötschberg car-carrying train (Kandersteg-Goppenstein), buses are carried only on the hourly trains for large vehicles and only with up to 22 seats; BLS also sets length (12 m), weight (28 t), width and height limits
- On a single round trip (Rundfahrt) the driver may postpone the weekly rest for up to twelve consecutive 24-hour periods if the vehicle has a digital tachograph (Art. 11a ARV 1)
- Daily rest is at least 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours at most three times between two weekly rests (Art. 9 ARV 1)
- After 4.5 hours of driving the driver takes a break of at least 45 minutes, which may be split into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes (Art. 8 Abs. 1 and 2 ARV 1)
- ARV 1 sets at most 9 hours of driving a day, which may be extended to 10 hours twice a week, at most 56 hours a week and 90 hours in two consecutive weeks (Art. 5 ARV 1)
- With more than 16 seats besides the driver it needs a category D licence rather than D1 (Art. 3 Abs. 1 and 2 VZV)
- Easier than a full-size coach in narrow streets, old towns and mountain villages
Long days and touring weeks
Drivers' hours shape a touring day: at most 9 hours of driving, extended to 10 hours twice a week, and a break of 45 minutes once 4.5 hours are up, taken in one go or as 15 minutes followed by 30. Nightly rest is 11 hours or more, and may drop to 9 hours on up to three occasions between weekly rests. On a tour of several days, alternate long transfer days with short local ones.
The Lötschberg car-carrying train only takes buses with up to 22 seats, so most midi-coaches cannot use it; check before planning a route through Kandersteg.
Questions travellers ask
Midi-coach or two minibuses?
One midi-coach keeps everyone together and on one timetable. Two minibuses let the group split, for example walkers on one route and the rest at the lake.
Can a midi-coach take us to Zermatt?
To Täsch, like every other vehicle. From the Matterhorn Terminal the group continues on the shuttle train into the village.
Can it cross the mountain passes?
Where the pass is open and the size and weight limits allow it. Several passes close in winter and some carry limits, such as 18 t on the Furka road, so the operator checks the route.
Other trips we arrange
- Company days out and congress weeks, one minibus at a time
- Ski week transfers: airport to chalet in one minibus
- Class outings sized to fit one vehicle
- Away days for clubs, squads and supporters
- Getting your wedding guests there, and home again
- Day trips by minibus: lakes, falls and panoramic trains
- From the gangway to your next stop by minibus
- Accessible trips for groups with wheelchair users
Ask about a midi-coach
Tell us the headcount, the bags and the outline of your days. A licensed partner operator suggests a midi-coach, or another size if your group is better served by one.
Request a quote or call 35227647770