9-seater minibuses hold 8 passengers and the driver, what’s more, they are considered a car and therefore can be driven on a standard car licence. A 9-seater minibus is an increasingly popular choice for schools and teachers as it is closer in size to a car and there are no concerns about teachers driving a minibus for ‘hire or reward’ under a Section 19 Permit or a lack of training or experience driving a much larger vehicle.
Castle Minibus have three options for 9-seater minibuses from well-known manufactures all offering safe, comfortable and versatile vehicles.
The 9-Seater Ford Tourneo
Ford manufactures the UK’s most popular minibuses and the 9-seater Tourneo is no exception. It comes with the same range of safety features Ford’s larger vehicles that are designed to help reduce the severity of accidents or prevent them altogether. This includes Pre-collision Assist that detects vehicles moving slower on the road ahead and warns you of the presence of pedestrians and vehicles that might cross your path, automatically applying the brakes if the driver does not respond.
Aside from safety, comfort and convenience is another boast of the Ford Tourneo. The second row of passenger seats can be turned around to face the rear of the vehicle giving schools a choice of seating and storage configurations to create the perfect seating arrangement and maximise the luggage area without having to remove any seats. You can of course remove individual seats to increase load space if required.
Available with a diesel engine the Ford Tourneo is also available as a plug-in hybrid. The Tourneo PHEV combines an electric motor with a small 1.0-litre petrol engine giving you zero emissions for short running periods and a 300-mile combined driving range.
Available from Castle Minibus to lease new from £389.24+VAT per month with a payment profile based on a 5-year agreement with a payment profile of 6+59 and 5000 miles pa.
We also have used Ford Tourneos for 12-month hire or to purchase.
The Citroen Spacetourer
The Citroen Spacetourer is another popular 9 seater vehicle and offers comfort, versatility and connectivity. The second and third-row seats slide backwards and forward and can be reclined to increase space comfort or they can be removed entirely to create a large luggage area.
As well as the versatility of the seating arrangements there are lots of storage solutions in the interior, door pockets, glove boxes and a cubby on the dash. All versions of the Spacetourer include a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, a DAB radio, a USB socket and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.
This is a reliable and safe vehicle that was designed for comfort and long journeys in line with the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme.
Available from Castle Minibus to lease new from £ £327.52+VAT per month with a payment profile based on a 5-year agreement with a payment profile of 6+59 and 5000 miles pa.
*NEW* to Castle Minibus – the Toyota Proace Combi
The Toyota Proace combi is the most competitive of Castle’s 9-seater options and is popular because it combines the large space of a van with the comforts of a car. Created for adventurous users the Proace was designed to offer smart solutions and maximum versatility for passengers and luggage. Folding seats and rail seats that can be repositioned or removed completely mean you can configure the load area exactly as you need it, some versions even include convenient fold-up tables.
For busy schools, teachers and pupils the Proace comes with several convenient and impressive features such as a panoramic glass roof, an opening tailgate rear window and a motorised sliding door as well as a Head-Up Driver Display for a more relaxing and safer journey.
An advanced diesel engine and smooth transmissions combine cost-saving fuel efficiency with great driveability a budget-friendly option for schools.
Available from Castle Minibus to lease new from £269.40 + VAT per month with a payment profile based on a 5-year agreement with a payment profile of 6+59 and 5000 miles pa.
For more information, brochures or advice on minibuses of any size please call our friendly team on 01869 253744 or email enquiries@castleminibus.co.uk
