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Advisor
New Member
2 Posts |
 Posted - 11/22/2011 : 01:38:30 AM
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This evening I was contacted by an overseas associate in New Zealand working on behalf of a government that wants to buy a fleet of new American school buses (left hand drive, meeting all US safety standards). In the old days, it was simple, but reading this forum, it seems the quality of some manufacturers has slipped.
Which manufacturer(s) should we look at? The full range of sizes will be needed.
Thanks in advance for your views. |
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bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2011 : 09:37:04 AM
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Full Size: The Lion Bus is pretty nice. It is designed for durability, and has a 7 year body warranty. The bus costs a little more for the extra bonuses it has, though. The size range is 77 passengers, and there might be a 71 or 83 passenger version.
Otherwise, any product from IC Bus (icbus.com) would be pretty good. They come in a large variety of sizes, depending on what model you want. Check out their website for more info. They're at a lower price, and have a trusted powertrain. If you don't want to spend the extra money, IC would be the ideal option.
Small Bus: Collins would be a good option. They come in capacities from around 20 to 30, without a wheelchair lift. A wheelchair bus could hold anything from under 10 to around 20. They were the first company to come out with the Type A bus in the market, so they know what they're doing.
IC or the new Bluebird Type A are both new products that are quite good. Blue Bird outsources their small bus production to Girardin, and their buses are very nice. As said before, IC has a trusted powertrain, but their product is brand new, and might still be at the stage of working out problems, and making many small revisions quite quickly.
Hope you find what you're looking for!
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RichBusman
Advanced Member
453 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2011 : 09:43:17 AM
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Collins & Lion.
I sell both. Very few issues with the Collins products, and I've been selling them for 4 years in the tough NY environment.
Lion Bus is built extremely durable, will last longer, and has a wider 102" body for increased seat room or aisle space. Very practical.
What emissions standards is Australia putting on diesel engines? Euro?
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Edited by - RichBusman on 11/22/2011 09:45:23 AM |
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08 Thomas EF
Top Member
533 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2011 : 1:39:10 PM
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IC has a trusted powertrain? I think most of the guys who are on here who maintain them would beg to differ!
I agree that the Lion bus is the way to go for quality these days, and I imagine the driver's area will be refined in due time. |
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Advisor
New Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2011 : 8:00:41 PM
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| Thanks for all the good advice. It will be very helpful. I'll let you know what happens. |
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JerseyDevil
Active Member
35 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2011 : 09:57:28 AM
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| A lto of people are buying IC CE's...something must be right about tehm! |
"10 to Obermayer...we have a transport to Crestwood, 354." |
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Tatum
Top Member
United States
606 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2011 : 12:53:03 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by JerseyDevil
A lto of people are buying IC CE's...something must be right about tehm!
I'm assuming you haven't read the reads in the Garage section of this forum about all the issues mechanics are having with IC's.
My parish bought IC's and they decided they're not doing that again! |
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bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2011 : 3:49:29 PM
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| I admit Tatum, I've never looked in the Garage section, until now. :-) |
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C.HARDY
Advanced Member
354 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2011 : 1:57:48 PM
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| I'm starting to think that old ugly C2 might be the way to go. They seem to be the top choice around here and I havent heard a whole lot bad about them. They all have flaws and the emissions seem to be the worst part. Overseas might be able to get around some of the emissions. |
"Hardybusman" |
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MorrisV2
Senior Member
53 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2011 : 4:03:08 PM
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I would advise that your Friend in New Zealand do a search of Truck dealers in his area and in New Zealand. I would think both Navistar and Freightliner are represented in New Zealand and sell that same chassis in a left hand drive. I would advise against the Lion Bus and Blue Bird because of available service and parts availability.
Did a search and could only find Freightliner. Navistar had a joint venture with Cat and Inveco but I am not sure if they supply the same chassis in New Zealand. Your only choice might be Freightliner. You really want support in the country of use if it is available.
http://www.freightliner.co.nz/
After doing a bit more research, as I was curious, the chassis Freightliner uses for the C2 is not sold in New Zealand or Australia. It seems they do in fact use a few different kinds of transportation for school purpose including Japanese units like Toyota Coasters and Hyundai EXs.
Here is the Ministry of Education Guidelines on School Transport
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools/SchoolOperations/SchoolTransport.aspx
And here are some examples of buses.
Looks like a Holden (GM) Isuzi Joint chassis
http://www.blackwellssockburn.co.nz/schoolbus-charter-bus-designline-tiltcab__I.590
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Edited by - MorrisV2 on 12/02/2011 2:51:29 PM |
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bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2011 : 09:39:27 AM
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| Good point, MorrisV2. The limited service would be a concern. I'm not sure about what would really be good in that area... |
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BluebirdFreightliner
Senior Member
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2011 : 5:21:52 PM
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Well, if new: THOMAS C2 and Bluebird G5
Used: Bluebird Freightliner and Bluebird G5 |
with Bluebird, ya get alot of bang for your buck. |
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Topic |
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What is the best bus (small and full sized)?
