Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
While leaving the gate from the alley way heading towards runway 25R; ground instructed us to take c and hold short c1; we made a left turn onto c and right before c5 there is a street where vehicles wait to cross the taxi c heading north bound. There was a bus that was holding short of the taxi lane. We were on center line and due to the proximity of the bus; the captain slowed down to make sure that we would clear the bus. As the wing was in front of the bus; there was a rear view mirror that I did not see which was hanging out about 1 to 2ft from the front of the bus that was hanging from a metal bar that I couldn't initially see due to black back drop of the window of the bus. I immediately notified the captain that we had hit the rear view mirror of the bus; at which time she stopped the airplane and we notified the ground atc of the event. At which time the captain checked with the flight attendants to check the status of the passengers and make sure everything was fine. From our vantage point we saw that the bus was holding short of the taxiway and was not on the taxiway so we continued believing that we were clear of all obstacles. However what we couldn't see was that the rear view mirror of the bus was hanging out into the taxi lane. I was unable to see it as the black rear view mirror was in front of a dark shaded window.If any vehicle is remotely close to the taxiway line; simply stop and let them pass rather than believing that you are clear as there may be items that maybe hanging into the taxiway that you cannot see.
After push back at [the] gate in the alley way; the ground crew towed us to the top of the alley. After the taxi check was complete; my FO obtained our clearance to taxi. We were instructed to 'taxi to runway 25R via C; hold short of C1. After I verbalized the instructions out loud; my FO confirmed. I began to make the left on taxiway C out of the alley. We approached a Interconnector terminal bus that was parked on a vehicle road. The vehicle road was between C5 and C6 and the bus was clear of taxi way C. The bus appeared to be yielding to us and holding short while we taxied. I slowed almost to a stop and looked out the right side of the aircraft. I asked my FO if it would clear and he watched very closely. He said he thought it would clear. Once the bus was out of my eye sight; my FO stated that we had hit the side mirror of the bus. The aircraft felt little to no force because of the collision. I asked my FO to tell ATC that we collided with the bus and needed to return back to the gate. I then called my flight attendants to make sure everything and everyone was ok. I made an announcement to the passengers explaining that our right wingtip had unfortunately collided with the mirror of a bus and we would be returning to the gate. I expressed my apologies and sympathy for the inconvenience. We were then instructed to make a right turn onto C5; a right turn onto C; and right turn  into the ramp. My FO told operations what had happened and that we were returning to the gate. Once the parking break was set; I called maintenance and they promptly came to the aircraft. I was unaware of the damage at this point. Once I was informed of the winglet damage; I made an announcement to the passengers that we were deplaning and for everyone to please collect their belongings. I then called the MOD and explained what had happened. I believe there was great confusion as to why the bus was sitting there when we wouldn't clear the wing. I later found out the bus experienced a stall and moved as far up to the intersection of C that he felt was safe. From both the FO and my perspective; the bus was behind the line of taxiway C and would clear the wing. Because the van was not in communication with ATC; I had no way of knowing the stall condition it was in. Communication with ATC to inquire about the bus could have been transmitted.
An air carrier flight crew and vehicle passenger reported contact between an aircraft and a ground vehicle at LAX.