Buying a School Bus Archives

10 Places To Buy A School Bus For Cheap

Posted on June 11, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

A detailed study has to be done when buying an old school bus to arrive at a wise decision.Traditionally buses were bought directly from previous users.

In this age of technology, the owners advertise the vehicle to be sold on internet sites making comparisons of the models of buses on sale easy. Bids for auctions can also be made online making the process simpler.

10 places to buy a school bus for cheap

1. Buses from schools

The best and the easiest place to find a used school bus are school districts or schools. These buses will be serviced and maintained regularly as the schools take safety of the children very seriously.

First-hand information of the buses and assessment by mechanics who have been servicing the vehicle can be obtained. On the whole, the buses from schools tend to be well taken care of.It is advantageous to buy buses directly from school districts or schools.

2. Govdeals.com

This is a government auction site. They sell a varied range of products from building materials to musical instruments. The advantage of this site is that they show the contact information of the sellers of the product.

This helps in contacting them and assessing the product before placing the bid at the auction.

3. eBay.com

eBay is another place to search for a school bus. eBay provides a wider area of search and one can opt for local pick up. The biggest advantage of using eBay is that they have a money back policy.

If you don’t receive the item ordered, if the item is faulty or damaged, or if the features do not match the description all the money paid will be refunded.

4. Publicsurplus.com

Public Surplus is an auction site which is open to the general public. The businesses post their surplus items for sale and auction on this site.

They sell all sorts and types of surplus items in addition to buses. So their bids start very low. The auction items have detailed descriptions. They also mention who is auctioning the item. You can have a better idea of the condition of the bus before placing the bid.

5. Craiglist.com

This option enables one to find an affordable bus in the area closer to school. A thorough checking of the bus is recommended before actual purchase.

6. The Facebook marketplace

This is another version of Craigslist. This helps in finding a bus locally. It is beneficial to buyers who do not want to travel for purchases.

7. Nwbus.com

This site sells different types of buses. You can buy used buses or new. You can even build a bus to your requirement. The prices are slighter higher. But this place ensures that you are getting a bus that has been fully maintained and inspected for safety.

The site also offers finance options to pay for the bus. They have efficient customer service networks who respond promptly.

8. American Bus Sales

American Bus Sales has been a trusted supplier of used buses from 2004. They have a wide range of buses including Blue Bird, Thomas, Ford, Chevrolet, IC buses. Most of the buses they come with added benefits of a warranty.

9. National Bus Sales

National Bus Sales offers used school buses from a variety of brands including Blue Bird, Chevrolet, Collins, Ford, Starcraft, Thomas, Midbus, and Titan.

A search of their bus inventory for featured school buses will help in spotting the required vehicle. The benefit of buying from National Bus Sales is the extensive warranty support offered by them.

Most vehicles carry an existing manufacturer’s warranty, a two year drive train warranty and an additional warranty backed by National Bus Sales Quality Guarantee. They offer commercial warranties for school buses 10 years old.

10. Central States Bus

Central States Bus is a one-stop shop for school transportation needs. They deal in new and used buses. They have a stock of spare parts and accessories. They provide technical support. Their vehicles come with warranties.

Factors to be considered while buying an old school bus

The availability of used buses, suppliers of buses and technical and mechanical aspects have to be thoroughly checked before the actual purchase is made. A feasibility study is warranted to assess whether the overall cost is cheap and if the purchase is worth the money paid.

In addition to seating capacity, comforts of the driver and condition of the vehicle, a look at the following factors in detail would be of immense help while buying an old school bus.

1. Look to suitable regions:

Buses being used in areas without snow and rain will be in better conditions. Rain and snow causes rust and faster deterioration of mechanical equipment. Buses plying in drier regions will have lesser chances of rusty parts.

2. Type of buses

There are front and rear engine buses. Front engine buses come at a lower cost and higher seating capacity. Rear engine buses are slightly more expensive and have a lower seating capacity.

3. Driver comfort

The conventional front engine buses have the engine in front of the driver. The drivers have to endure the heat which is uncomfortable. The drivers prefer rear engine buses.

4. History of the bus

Knowledge of the number of years the bus has been in operation and the mileage covered gives a very basic idea about the condition of the bus.

Older buses in all probability would have had their engine or transmissions replaced. The date of replacement and details of equipment used has to be obtained.

5. Chassis and engine

The condition of the chassis determines the life of the bus. Ensuring the engine is in perfect condition is important. These two parts have the biggest cost factor.

6. Rust

In places where it snows heavily during winter the roads are heavily salted. This causes the vehicles to rust. Rains too cause rust on the metal parts partly due to ageing of the buses and partly due to the quality of the metal used. Rust spreads.

Most of the old school buses will have rust. The buyer needs to make sure that the rust is minimal and easy to remove.

7. Worn out tires

When school buses go on sale their tires would be worn out, it would be advisable to check the amount of tread left on them. Replacing four to six tires of a school bus would cost thousands and may not make the purchase viable.

On the contrary worn out tires can be used as pretext to lower the price of the bus given that everything else on the bus is in perfect working condition.

8. Fluid leaks

Check the underneath of the bus for leaks, cracked hoses, oils or other fluids. It would not be advisable to buy a bus that is found to be leaking.

Fixing serious problems mechanical aspects in an old bus can become very expensive. It would be better to avoid buying buses with mechanical and engine problems however cheap they may be.

9. Battery condition

Bus batteries, per se, are very expensive to replace. An assessment of how old the battery is and when it was replaced is essential. It is better to check the battery for corrosion and leakage.

The battery compartment has to be corrosion free. The battery has to be in good working condition as the bus has to perform in varied weather conditions.

6 Tips To Follow Before Buying A Used Bus

Posted on March 18, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Before you try to invest in the transportation industry you should have a clear decision on which type of bus you should purchase. If your budget is low and the use is for short term then used buses are the one to go with.

Compared to newer bus models used buses are much less expensive. But while purchasing a used school bus you should move in with complete caution, make sure you do a complete check-up of the vehicle otherwise you would end up with a lemon in your hands.

Just because the price is lower than a showroom vehicle doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. When you compare the total cost of ownership, repairs, and maintenance of the used vehicle it may end up being much expensive than a new one.

There are a lot of mediums for buying used buses even there are services online which auctions used buses. But when it comes online it’s always buyers beware situation.

Like this, whatever you’re buying medium is you should do a complete inspection of the vehicle especially if you want to convert it into a perfectly functioning school bus.

If your intention is to buy a used bus then you should follow through our list described below

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1. Condition

When you complete your inspection go through the condition of the bus it’s the most important thing if you’re considering to buy a used bus. Go through its interior, drive-train, and frame, check whether they are in good condition.

Verify whether the bus has been maintained over time. Inspect the bus interior check for wear and tear look for any other damage inside the bus. Search for rusting between the joints and test the interior features like HVAC systems and audio equipment and make sure they are working or not.

2. Maintenance Records

If your bus was part of a fleet, then it’s sure to have a maintenance record. It’s always good to be aware of where your vehicle has been for the last 10,000 miles.

You can get a comprehensive view of the repairs and maintenance works made to the vehicle over the years. Since it’s a government regulation to keep the maintenance records in the bus you can understand more about the vehicle you are buying.

3. Engine and Transmission Health

Before buying the vehicle make sure you test drive the bus, some transmissions start out fine but as they reach higher gears they tend to slip.

In this age, an automatic transmission is preferred over manual transmission so it would be wise to choose the preferred one. Same goes for engines, diesel engines work better with a heavier load. When selecting an engine you should consider the fuel efficiency and the weight of the engine.

Read Also: Top 10 School Bus Companies

4. Rust and Leaks

When it comes to steel bodies rust is like cancer, once the body is affected it only gets worse and there won’t be any going back. While inspecting the vehicle, make sure there isn’t any rust on the frame or underneath the body.

Look out for leaks, automatic transmissions are particularly found leaky. Some transmissions constantly start to leak as the vehicle gets hot (in long trips).

If your vehicle is found with leaks and rust, replacing the infected parts is the only quick fix, and that would be costly considering the availability of the parts.

5. Size and Space

You should consider the space and size of the vehicle as an issue. Make sure you buy a bus which suits your requirements. Select a bus which has an overhead as well as rear entrance storage room. The bus should also have enough seating capacity and the standard seating capacity for a bus is 30.

6. Body style

The body style of the bus is based on your preference. There are a couple of bus models to choose from

Dog nose model
Flat nose model

When you are settling for a body type make sure you pick a body that satisfies your needs such as, head space, storage and interior space, multiple exits and emergency exits. Safety and comfort should come of importance when you settle on buying a used bus.

Some extra points to keep in mind
Do not look out for low mileage alone
Check whether the chassis has been properly maintained
Observe to see the tires and the depth of their tread
Check the quality of the car paint and whether the exterior has been regularly polished and waxed and whether any touch-up has been done
Take a qualified vehicle inspector, if possible, to inspect a bus before the purchase
Check the floor of the bus for spots of rust or corrosion. A solid floor is an indicator of the longevity of the bus as well as its safety
Check the federal guidelines as well as state laws before buying used buses. This will give an idea of the items that need to be updated or replaced
It is important to check out financing options to buy used buses that may be available with the dealer or financial institutions

You can put these tips in use when you visit an authorised dealer for purchasing a used bus. If the vehicle satisfies your inspection then you are probably looking at a dependable machine.

Buying a School Bus – 10 Important Points You Should Know

Posted on February 18, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Buses are in high demand in the market and are purchased by different organizations. However, the buyer always finds it a difficult job to know where to begin.

Preliminary research is anyway required as when you would buy some other vehicle. Then, it is all about sourcing the vehicle and finally negotiating to get the best deal.

But it is important to realize that there are a few factors that set buses apart from other vehicles that you are otherwise familiar with.

As in other walks of life, planning is the most important factor. You should have a clear image of the school bus that you want to have. The following points will help you to start on the right note:

Read Also: Top 10 School Bus Companies

1. Size

The range of passenger capacity of a bus is very varied. Whereas there are buses that carry single digit numbers, there are others that ferry 300 people.

Larger buses are difficult to manoeuvre on the road and it is difficult to find parking space for such vehicles. For such buses, both the initial investment and the long-term running costs are higher.

For any school, the cost of the bus is a major factor. Hence, for a school, choosing a bus with a capacity that closely fits the number of students to be accommodated is important.

2. Parking

Before buying the school bus, it is important to ensure that the school property, as well as the school district, has the space required for the vehicle to be parked. There may be local regulations that prohibit parking of the bus in your premise.

3. Amenities in the bus

Buses are built for a specific set of travellers and this is reflected in their design. A school bus would necessarily have doors with secure lock systems, no cargo bays or raised floor.

School buses are required to shuttle passengers carrying a minimum amount of baggage. This bus would surely need racks to store the bags and other accessories. A school bus does not need any storage space outside the main cabin.

Ensure that you purchase a school bus that already has all the amenities at the time of purchase. Installation at a later date becomes an expensive affair and is inconvenient.

4. Type of Engine

There have never been more options than today as far as the type of engine is concerned. The types of engines available include petrol, diesel, hybrids, and buses powered by an electric battery.

The next important point to keep in mind is the heavy use that the bus will see in the future years. This factor has to be kept in mind to match the operational costs and the fuel costs of the bus.

5. Engine Capacity

Choose a bus with an engine that is suited for the terrain on which the bus will be driven. Buses are built to meet standard needs. However, you may sometimes need a powerful engine for the bus.

Larger engine lasts for a longer time than a smaller one because it does not have to work as hard. The smaller one will have to work in its full capacity.

6. Types of School Buses

There are different bus models to choose from. However, some of them are more popular with the bus drivers because of driving comfort and ease of repair from the mechanics’ point of view.

However the most popular school bus models are

Conventional school buses
Transit style bus
Rear Engine Buses

7. Budget

It is important to understand that it is not always wise to save some money, especially if it means sacrificing some of the criteria mentioned above.

However, budgets are likely to be the largest part of the decision when purchasing a large and costly vehicle like a bus. Firstly, work out the maximum price or an upper limit.

It is also a good idea to buy used buses. Such a purchase may provide better value for your money.

Or you can buy a new bus if your budget is reasonably big and your needs are long term. Otherwise used buses are the right option.

8. Safety

The safety aspects of a school bus are of utmost importance. All safety features must be present on the bus before you purchase the vehicle.

Inspect to see if the airbags are working and the anti-lock brakes are in place.

9. Customization

You can add any number of customized features including safety seats, seat belts, handrails, wheelchair lifts, seat restraints, etc. You can even tailor the electrical and HVAC systems according to specific requirements and the regional climate.

Modern school buses have a number of additional features that facilitate communications, TV systems, Internet Wi-Fi, GPS trackers, transmitters and receivers, according to requirements.

10. Buy in terms of your needs

1.Buying a new bus

Manufacturers and licensed resellers often show you the latest models when you start to shop. You can choose the dealer whose bus seems to have all the requirements that you have identified.

You can search for local bus dealers and see if you can recognize their models. You can also speak to bus owners, if you know any, and ask for their experiences as far as reliability and operational economy of the vehicle is concerned.

2. Buying a used bus

Used buses can be found at auctions and also with dealers that sell new vehicles. Sometimes it is possible to land buses in decent condition at great bargain prices.

It may be a safer option to buy the bus from a licensed reseller than from an auction. They may allow you to test-drive before you make the payment and therefore it is safer.

You can also inspect the bus to ensure that there are no major issues that are hidden out of sight. Any initial maintenance that needs to be done can be incorporated into the cost of the bus after due discussions with the reseller.