Are Buses Manual or Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
Buses are manual transmission. Here are the reasons: 1. High purchase cost: The price of automatic transmissions for commercial vehicles is very high. Domestically, there is basically no development of commercial automatic transmissions, which are mostly imported. The price of an imported commercial transmission can account for more than one-third of the price of a domestic commercial vehicle. Moreover, the domestic business environment aims to achieve high profits through overloaded transportation at the lowest cost. 2. High operating cost: Automatic transmissions rely on fluid to transfer energy, and since fluid is the medium for energy transfer, the consumption is higher. Correspondingly, fuel consumption is slightly higher. Manual transmissions rely on gears to transfer energy, and energy is lost in the friction between gears, so the consumption is lower. 3. Relatively low labor costs in China: Automatic transmissions can reduce driver fatigue. In developed countries, the cost of bus drivers is high, and the demand for work comfort is relatively higher. Automatic transmissions are one of the means for bus companies to retain drivers.
I've driven different models of buses and noticed that most in the city are automatic, especially the newly introduced ones. Manual transmissions are only seen in some older vehicles or on remote routes, but shifting gears during peak traffic jams is really exhausting, making my arms sore. Automatic transmissions are much easier—just step on the gas and go, with smoother braking, reducing driver fatigue and lowering accident risks. Maintenance for automatics might be slightly more expensive, but they are more fuel-efficient and efficient in the long run, making them ideal for large-scale operations. Passengers also report that automatic buses offer a smoother and safer ride. Overall, the modern trend is dominated by automatics, with manuals gradually fading from the market.
