Top 10 Things – New Shuttle Bus
Top Ten things that you need to know about your purchase of new Church bus, Senior Living Center bus, Assisted Living bus, Airport shuttle bus, Limousine bus, or Rural Transit bus usage:
1. Commercial Driver’s License: A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required for any vehicle that carries more that 15 passengers including the driver, has a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of more that 26,000 lbs., or has air brakes. Most shuttle or minibuses used for church, nursing home, airport shuttle, or rural transit applications will not exceed the 26,000 lb. GVWR or have air brakes. They can, however, easily have capacity for more than 15 passengers. And if so, a CDL is required. Be sure to check you local regulations for any state issues that may effect your program as well.
2. Popular Chassis: New Mini or Shuttle Buses are typically built on the Ford E series cutaway chassis and are used for most requirements of up to 25 passengers. The Ford E-350 has either a 11,500 or 12,500 lb. GVWR, while the E-450 has a GVWR of 14,500 lbs. For larger requirements of up to 45 passengers, the Ford F-650, and International 3200 offer capacities of up to 26,000 lb. GVWR. New to the mini bus or shuttle bus chassis market is the Chevy/GMC G-series cutaway placed competitively against the Ford E-350 & 450 models. GM has discontinued the 5500 series of chassis.
3. Bus Bodies: Bus bodies are constructed of either welded steel or fiberglass. It is to your advantage to learn the differences in body construction, durability, and safety. Not all buses are designed, engineered, and built the same. Some manufacturers “push the envelope” as to their ability to build buses of excessive lengths and number of seats and features that they can and will put into a bus. Generally speaking, if one manufacturer says that they can do something that several others cannot, beware of those claims.
4. Gasoline or Diesel: All GM G-series and Ford E-series are readily available with gasoline engines. Ford has discontinued the diesel in the E-series since it will not meet the 2010 emission standards. GM is waiting to release the Duramax once it meets those same standards. Unless someone has a 2009 chassis lying around, the odds of finding a new diesel chassis is limited as on hand supplies are consumed.
On larger chassis, Ford F-650, International, and Freightliner, diesels are the only thing available. Again, chassis availability is limited until such time that engines are certified to meet the 2010 emissions.
5. The Appropriate Air Conditioning and Heat: All buses can be ordered with the air conditioning and heating system to fit your location’s climate. The heater needed in Wisconsin is unnecessary in Las Vegas. Likewise, the air conditioning that functions well in Seattle will not hold up in Miami. Be sure that your AC and heat fit your needs. The larger the air conditioning, the greater the price, thus having a big influence in the final pricing of your bus. Be sure that your sales representative explains what AC they are quoting and its appropriateness to you climate. Additionally, as your air conditioner load goes up on your bus, be sure that the Alternator gets upgraded, as well. Hot days, high humidity, and slow engine speeds mean that your standard Alternator cannot keep your bus running properly. All buses can be ordered with wheel chair capabilities. Typical configurations on the Ford E-350 are 12 passengers plus 2 wheel chairs. The E-450 will handle 16 passengers plus 2 wheel chairs. As a rule of thumb, a wheel chair lift and two wheel chair positions will take the place of eight (8) seated passengers. A wheel chair lift is not something that can be added later; it is a structural part of the vehicle.
6. Chassis Sizing: The Ford E-350 can easily handle up to 15 passengers plus rear luggage. The Ford E-450 can handle a maximum capacity of 25 passengers plus driver. Moving up to the GM 5500 chassis and you can handle up 33 passengers with the 19,500 lb. version and up to 45 passengers with the 26,000 lb. chassis. On new buses, each manufacturer must certify that the bus that they are building meets federal standards for weight and axle loads. Again, if one manufacturer says that they can do something that several others cannot, beware of those claims.
7. Financing Your Purchase: Your bus purchase is financeable, either through conventional bank financing or through leasing, over several years, depending upon your credit worthiness. Cash vs. finance vs. leasing all depends on your usage. If you accumulate high mileage every year (over 50,000 miles), a cash purchase or short term (12 – 24 month) bank finance is appropriate. Medium usage of a bus in the 15 to 30,000 mile range annually. Traditional financing over 48 to 60 months is in order. But if you do not accumulate a lot of miles, leasing may be your best bet, especially if you can work out a buy back of your bus at the end of the lease.
8. Options, Options, Options: Your bus can be ordered with all types of options to so that your bus fits your needs, budget, and image. Some popular items include: high back seats; recliners; side sliders for more seat room; retractable seat belts; overhead luggage; reading lights; upgraded upholstery, even leather seats; upholstered walls & ceiling; non skid flooring; rear luggage compartments; convertible luggage compartments; TVs with DVD players; cup holders; magazine pockets; tray tables; additional arm rests; some buses can be built with co-pilot seats; graphics and paint; satellite TV and radio; and even wireless internet service can be built in. Limousine seating is also an option. Remember that as your air conditioner load goes up on your bus, be sure that the Alternator gets upgraded, as well. Hot days, high humidity, and slow engine speeds mean that your standard Alternator cannot keep your bus running properly.
9. Buses vs. 15 Passenger Vans: Buses vs. 15 Passenger Vans: Buses are safer than 15 passenger vans. Buses are built to meet federal roll over standards not required of vans. Dual rear wheels on buses also improve stability. Brakes, axles, and other suspension components are bigger on buses than on vans. A Ford E-350 extended body 15 passenger van has a 9100 lb. GVWR, while the same named chassis used in a shuttle bus has a capacity of 11,500 lbs. From a comfort standpoint, buses offer stand up interior height, easy to enter doors, and wide aisles. Vans offer none of these comforts.
10. Deliveries & Warranties: Due to the size of the vehicle, buses are typically driven to their destination by third party drive-away companies. These drive-away companies charge by the mile and hire professional drivers to deliver your vehicle. They are fully insured and licensed for the type of vehicle that you are purchasing. Delivery time will vary depending on driver scheduling and availability.All vehicle warranties begin on the date of and with the mileage on the vehicle at the time of delivery. There are various warranties involved with you vehicle – the chassis and driveline, the air conditioning system, the wheel chair lift (if so equipped), the bus body, the alternator, to name a few. Each component has its own warranty and procedures. Each component requires registration thereof. You may have a new vehicle, but if your dealer does not register it for you, you may find out that you do not have a valid or current warranty. A reputable dealer will be able to explain all of the aspects of your vehicle warranty and will pre-register your vehicle on your behalf. Extended Warranties are available to help your budget, peace of mind, and provide you with continued service for years to come.
