Have you ever seen a long bus on the street with a curve in the middle that folds like an accordion when turning? Such vehicles immediately catch the eye - they are more spacious than ordinary buses, more maneuverable than trolleybus “trains” and often become a symbol of modern urban transport. But what is the correct name for this bus?

In colloquial speech it is most often called an “accordion” - due to the characteristic folding of the sections when moving. However, this type of transport has several official names, which are used by manufacturers, transport companies and regulatory documents. In this article we will figure out which terms are correct, how such buses are designed, where they are used and why they have become so popular in large cities.

Official names of the accordion bus

If you ask a passerby on the street what the name of a bus with an “accordion” is, most will answer: “Well, there is an accordion!” But in a professional environment, other terms are used. Here are the main ones:

  • 🚌 Articulated bus - the most common official name. The term comes from the word “joint” (from Lat. articulatio - “connection”), which reflects a design with a hinge mechanism between sections.
  • 🔗 Articulated bus - a more precise technical term emphasizing the presence of a hinged joint.
  • 🎵 Accordion type bus** - a rare but sometimes encountered name, especially in Europe (from French. autobus accordéon).
  • 🚍 Double section bus - if we are talking about a model with two sections (there are also three-section ones, but they are extremely rare).

B GOST R 52933-2018 (interstate standard governing the classification of buses) such vehicles are designated as "articulated buses". And in Traffic rules of the Russian Federation they fall under the general category of “buses”, but with a note of increased length (more than 12 meters).

Interestingly, some countries have their own “folk” names for such buses. For example, in Germany they are called Gelenkbus (from Gelenk - “joint”), and in the USA - articulated bus or just bendy bus (“bent bus”)

📊 What do you usually call such buses?
Accordion
Articulated bus
Articulated bus
Accordion
Another option

Accordion bus design: how it works

The main difference between an articulated bus and a regular one is the presence hinge mechanism, which connects two (less often three) sections. Let's figure out how it works and why it doesn't break under constant bending.

Main design elements:

  • 🔧 Articulated node - a metal cardan mechanism with bearings that allows the sections to rotate relative to each other. It can withstand loads up to 10–15 tons and is designed to withstand millions of bending cycles.
  • 🛡️ Flexible skirt transition - rubber-fabric or plastic accordion (bellows), which closes the space between the sections. It protects passengers from wind, rain and prevents foreign objects from entering the mechanism.
  • 🚪 Additional doors - usually there are 3-4 of them (versus 2-3 on a regular bus), which speeds up boarding/disembarking.
  • 🔄 Steering synchronization system — the rear section follows the trajectory of the front, but with a delay so that the bus does not “fold” during a sharp turn.

Length of a standard articulated bus - 18–24 meters (versus 12 meters for the usual one). For example, a popular model Mercedes-Benz Citaro G has a length of 18.1 meters, and Volvo 7900 Hybrid Articulated - 18.7 meters. Three-section buses (eg Van Hool Exqui.City 24) can reach 24–25 meters, but in Russia they are not used due to traffic regulations.

Why doesn't a bus break under constant bending?

The articulated unit is made of high-strength alloy steel with the addition of molybdenum and chromium, and the bearings are lubricated with special compounds that are resistant to temperature changes. The flexible “accordion” is made of multilayer reinforced polyurethane or rubber with metal inserts that prevent ruptures. The average resource of a node is 1–1.5 million km, which is comparable to the resource of the bus itself.

Advantages and disadvantages of articulated buses

Why do cities choose “accordions” instead of regular buses or trolleybuses? They have several key advantages, but there are also disadvantages.

Benefits Disadvantages
🚌 Capacity - up to 150–200 passengers (versus 80–100 in a regular bus). 💰 Cost — the price of a new articulated bus is 1.5–2 times higher than usual (from 25–40 million rubles in 2026).
🚏 Efficiency on routes with high passenger traffic — replaces 1.5–2 regular buses. 🔧 Difficulty of repair — the articulated unit requires specialized service stations.
🌱 Environmental friendliness - many models are equipped with hybrid or electric engines (for example, BYD K9A or Solaris Urbino 18 electric). 🛣️ Route restrictions — not all streets are suitable for buses 18+ meters long.
🔄 Maneuverability — despite the length, the turning radius is comparable to a regular bus (thanks to the articulation). ⚠️ Security — in the event of an accident, the risk of “collapsing” is higher than that of a rigid bus.

In Russia, articulated buses are actively used in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and other million-plus cities. For example, in a Moscow park there are more of them 1,200 units (data for 2026), which is about 15% of the total number of buses. In Europe, the share is even higher - in Berlin or Paris, “accordions” cover up to 30–40% of routes.

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If you see an articulated bus with an open accordion (for example, during repairs), do not come close - the mechanism may suddenly work! The minimum safe distance is 3 meters.

Where are accordion buses used?

Articulated buses are not universal; they are only advisable to use on certain types of routes. Here are the main areas of application:

  • 🏙️ City routes with high passenger traffic - especially during rush hours. For example, in Moscow “accordions” run on routes no. m1, m9, t25 and others where passenger traffic exceeds 5,000 people per day.
  • 🚇 Replacement of trams or trolleybuses — in cities where there is no metro, articulated buses serve as a “ground metro” (for example, in Volgograd or Krasnodar).
  • 🌍 Airport shuttles — for transporting passengers between terminals (for example, at Sheremetyevo airport they use Mercedes-Benz Citaro G).
  • 🏗️ Construction and industrial sites - for transporting workers (in this case, buses with a simplified interior are often used, for example, MAZ 206).

And this is where the accordions are do not apply:

  • ❌ Suburban routes with low passenger traffic (unprofitable).
  • ❌ Cities with narrow streets (for example, historical centers).
  • ❌ Intercity flights (due to restrictions on comfort and speed).

In some countries, articulated buses are even used as tourist transport. For example, in Hong Kong, two-story “accordion” Alexander Dennis Enviro500 carry tourists along popular routes.

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Articulated buses are most effective on routes with passenger traffic of 3,000 people per day. If the flow is less, it is cheaper and easier to use regular buses more often.

The accordion market is represented by both European and Chinese manufacturers. Here are the most common models that can be found on the streets of Russian cities:

Model Manufacturer Length, m Engine type Capacity, persons
Mercedes-Benz Citaro G 🇩🇪 Mercedes-Benz (Germany) 18,1 Diesel/Hybrid/Electric 150–170
Volvo 7900 Hybrid Articulated 🇸🇪 Volvo (Sweden) 18,7 Hybrid (diesel + electric) 140–160
Solaris Urbino 18 electric 🇵🇱 Solaris (Poland) 18,0 Electric 130–150
MAZ 206 🇧🇾 MAZ (Belarus) 18,0 Diesel / Gas 160–180
BYD K9A 🇨🇳 BYD (China) 18,0 Electric 120–140

The most common in Russia MAZ-206 (due to relatively low price and adaptation to local conditions) and Mercedes-Benz Citaro G (in Moscow and St. Petersburg). Electric models are still rare, but their share is growing - for example, in 2026, 100 electric buses were purchased in Moscow Solaris Urbino 18 electric.

Cost of new articulated buses in 2026:

  • 🇷🇺 MAZ-206 (diesel) - from 25 million rubles.
  • 🇩🇪 Mercedes-Benz Citaro G (hybrid) - from 35 million rubles.
  • 🇨🇳 BYD K9A (electro) - from 40 million rubles.
Why are Chinese electric buses cheaper than European ones?

Chinese manufacturers (for example, BYD or Yutong) are subsidized by the state, which allows them to reduce export prices. In addition, they use cheaper components (for example, batteries from their own production), while European brands purchase components from third-party suppliers (for example, batteries from CATL or LG).

How to drive an accordion bus: features for drivers

Driving an articulated bus requires special skills. The driver must take into account:

  1. 🔄 Rear section rotation delay — during a sharp maneuver, the bus may “fold.”
  2. 📏 Increased turning radius — despite the articulation, the dimensions are still larger than those of a regular bus.
  3. 🚦 Speed limits — when turning, do not exceed 30–40 km/h.
  4. 👥 Passenger control — it’s more difficult to keep order in the cabin due to its long length.

To drive an articulated bus in Russia you need category D (same as for a regular bus), but many transport companies provide additional training. For example, in the Moscow State Unitary Enterprise Mosgortrans, drivers undergo 2 week courses on operating “accordions” with practice in closed areas.

Interesting fact: in some countries (for example, Germany) a separate category of license is required to drive articulated buses - D+E (as for road trains). In Russia there is no such requirement, but the driver must have at least experience driving category D buses 1 year.

Correct operation of the articulated unit (are there any extraneous sounds)

Tire pressure (especially on the rear axle)

Serviceability of the flexible transition (“accordion”)

Operation of all doors and warning systems

Fuel/charge level (for electric buses) -->

Articulated buses continue to evolve. Here are the key trends for the coming years:

  • ⚡ Electrification — by 2026, the share of electric buses among “accordion” buses in Europe will reach 40% (currently ~25%). In Russia, the transition is slower due to climatic conditions and a lack of charging infrastructure.
  • 🤖 Autonomous control - companies Volvo and Scania they are already testing articulated buses with autopilot on closed routes (for example, in Singapore).
  • 🌿 Hydrogen buses — Mercedes-Benz and Solaris released the first articulated models using hydrogen fuel cells (for example, Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G Fuel Cell).
  • 📱 Digitalization — implementation of systems for monitoring wear of the articulated unit in real time (for example, sensors ZF or Knorr-Bremse).

In Russia, the main changes are related to import substitution. Due to sanctions, many European brands have suspended deliveries, so cities are switching to:

  • 🇧🇾 Belarusian MAZ-206 and MAZ-216 (electric).
  • 🇨🇳 Chinese BYD, Yutong and Higer.
  • 🇷🇺 Domestic developments - for example, KAMAZ-6292 (articulated electric bus, launched into production in 2023).

According to expert forecasts, by 2030 the share of articulated buses in large Russian cities could increase to 25–30% of the total fleet, and electric buses will make up at least 15% of this number.

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The main trend is the transition to alternative fuels. Diesel “accordions” are gradually giving way to hybrids, electric buses and hydrogen models.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about accordion buses

🚍 Why doesn’t the “accordion” bus operate in small towns?

Main reasons:

  1. Low passenger traffic - “accordion” is profitable only on routes with a large number of passengers (from 3,000 people per day).
  2. Narrow streets - many small towns are not suitable for 18+ meter long buses.
  3. High cost - purchasing and maintaining an articulated bus is more expensive than a regular one.

The exception is resort cities (for example, Sochi), where passenger traffic increases sharply during the season.

⚡ Is it possible to make an “accordion” out of an ordinary bus?

Technically this is possible, but unprofitable. To do this you will need:

  • Cut the bus and install an articulated unit (cost of work - from 5–7 million rubles).
  • Strengthen the frame and suspension (a regular bus is not designed for such loads).
  • Obtain permission from the traffic police to change the design (which is almost impossible for commercial vehicles).

It is much cheaper and easier to buy a new or used articulated bus.

🔋 How long does it take to charge an electric accordion?

Charging time depends on the type of battery and the power of the charging station:

  • Fast charging (150–300 kW) — 20–40 minutes (up to 80% charge).
  • Full charge (50 kW) — 3–5 hours.

For example, Solaris Urbino 18 electric with a 300 kWh battery charges in 30 minutes at a 300 kW station. In Moscow, electric buses are charged at terminal stations during downtime.

💺 Why are there no toilets in the “accordions”?

Toilets are not installed for several reasons:

  • 🕒 Routes are usually short (up to 1–1.5 hours), which makes the toilet unnecessary.
  • 📏 There is not enough space - priority is given to passenger capacity.
  • 🧹 Difficulties with waste disposal - the city does not have the infrastructure to empty toilets on buses.

The exception is intercity articulated buses (for example, in China or Turkey), where toilets meet.

🚨 What to do if the accordion breaks down in the middle of the road?

If the bus cannot continue moving due to a broken joint:

  1. The driver is required to turn on the hazard warning lights and display a warning triangle.
  2. Passengers are evacuated through emergency exits (if the bus cannot move).
  3. A tow truck with a platform for long vehicles or a tug with a rigid coupling is called.

⚠️ Attention: Independently towing an accordion on a flexible hitch is prohibited - this can damage the articulated unit!