| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
99intamtran
New Member
5 Posts |
 Posted - 01/30/2013 : 5:08:38 PM
|
| Hi i am a newbie to your forums. I have read in the forums previously that a lot of districts in Michigan run Thomas buses. Where i am from in northern Michigan i have never seen a Thomas in person only Wards Blue-Birds and Amtran,and IC. Is this at all unusual? Also would like to hear from others in Michigan and what your fleet is comprised of. |
|
|
Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4148 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2013 : 5:36:50 PM
|
| Not unusual. The fleet I grew up with was all Thomas, but the fleet I drove for in the upper peninsula was all Blue Bird. Where I live now, the local fleet is a mix. The rural areas for some reason historically favored Blue Birds, and recently they have been going to IC because of price. |
Mike's Bus Yard - http://buses.zwebpages.com - Since 1999
|
 |
|
|
SuperiorGMC1963
Top Member
USA
1078 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2013 : 4:22:38 PM
|
| I don't live in northern Michigan full time any longer but I am aware that Traverse City's fleet is about 90% Thomas. They bought some AmTrans and Blue Birds around 2000. They have about 125 buses in their fleet. Most of the smaller districts near Traverse City seem to run IC's. |
Ted
 |
|
|
|
99intamtran
New Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 07:36:10 AM
|
| Thank you Thomas Ford 85-16 and SuperiorGMC1963 for your replies to this topic. Another question are air brakes standard for Type C and D buses in Michigan? Every bus i rode on dating back to an 1981 GMC Ward gasser had air brakes. |
|
|
|
Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4148 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 08:24:59 AM
|
| They are not required, if that's what you mean. Where I drove, there were many 77/78 passenger buses that were hydraulic brake units. My own fleet was mostly air brake though. However, I think that air brakes at one time were required for the larger buses, which would explain your 1981 Ward (when air brakes were otherwise less common). This text in the Pupil Transportation Act suggests that to me: "(2) A school bus manufactured after July 15, 1982 that has a rated seating capacity of 60 or more passengers is not required to be equipped with an air brake system." |
Mike's Bus Yard - http://buses.zwebpages.com - Since 1999
|
|
|
|
spin76
Active Member
24 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 7:50:41 PM
|
| I am originally from West Michigan and now live in Mid Michigan. In West Michigan there are TONS of Thomas buses. The district I was previously at ran 90% Thomas and since the C2 have gone IC. My current district has one Thomas and its a spare...they are primarily IC. I THINK a big part is Hoekstra Trans out of GR. Although now there is Holland Bus Company (bluebird). That is pure speculation however I've noticed many districts ran Thomas in the 80s and 90s an since many have gone IC. Just an observation. Glad to see another person from MI here. The more info you have about MI buses to share the better. Just curious, in the area you are from, what are some of the oldest buses (from more than one district) that you have still seen in service? |
|
|
|
99intamtran
New Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 10:20:59 AM
|
| Thank you for replying Thomas Ford 85-16 & spin76. In the county i am in there are two school districts one being where i attended school and another small village to our south. Where i went to school our oldest bus is a 2000 International Amtran. The other district has last i saw a 97 or a 98 international can't remember the body. About 5 years ago i visited a town about 40 miles to my southeast and i saw a 95 International Carpenter at their bus garage but it was sitting in a corner of the lot but they had 8 or so buses, the town to their south had a few 1996 International Bluebird, but again that was 2008-ish. The only real information i have is from a riders perspective from my own district. Their specs really hadn't changed to much. Examples would include our 87-88 Gmc Bluebirds our 87 A 87B and 87C were 8.2L Detroit Diesel 5spd manual. Our 88-A was an 8.2L Detroit Diesel Allison AT545 and air brakes Our 88-B was the same as 88-B but with an air horn 88-C-88-G had 8.2L Detroit Diesel 5spd manual with air horns. All of our buses have/had air brakes. In December of 1990 All of our buses with the exception of our 81-82 models had the 4-ways converted to 8-ways |
|
|
|
ic0730
Active Member
18 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 7:03:51 PM
|
| I am from the thumb and we had 25 Thomas 1994-2002 and 10 Ic`s 2003-2011.before we were outsourced now we have 12 Thomas 1998-02, 10 Ic`s 2003-2011 and 8 new 2012 c2s much rather have ic. Thomas have to many problems. |
Edited by - ic0730 on 03/29/2013 8:04:28 PM |
|
|
|
spin76
Active Member
24 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2013 : 7:55:25 PM
|
| ic0730 what part of the thumb are you in? Who outsourced your district? Most schools around here have been outsourced by Dean. Every so often a Trinity bus makes an appearance, but Dean operates all of the area ISDs that I'm aware of plus some schools in the Lansing area (East Lansing, Dansville, Webberville) I know Dean does Ottawa ISD on the Westside of the state too plus Grand Rapids Public. |
|
|
|
ic0730
Active Member
18 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2013 : 6:42:06 PM
|
| NORTH BRANCH. we where outsourced by Dean Transportation. they also have Lakeville , Trenton , Birch run and walled lake. DON'T NO OF ANY MORE AROUND HERE! |
Edited by - ic0730 on 05/23/2013 7:26:57 PM |
|
|
|
JustinB
Advanced Member
United States
485 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2013 : 12:47:20 PM
|
| Birch Run isn't much of a suprise. The program was a bit ripe for such a move. |
I may not know the answer but I can usually find who does. |
|
|
|
spin76
Active Member
24 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2013 : 3:24:55 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by JustinB
Birch Run isn't much of a suprise. The program was a bit ripe for such a move.
Justin what do you mean? When was Birch Run outsourced? Last time I went through, they still had a share of mid 90s Thomas Fords. Good looking fleet in my opinion! |
|
|
|
ic0730
Active Member
18 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2013 : 8:02:08 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by spin76
quote:
Originally posted by JustinB
Birch Run isn't much of a suprise. The program was a bit ripe for such a move.
Justin what do you mean? When was Birch Run outsourced? Last time I went through, they still had a share of mid 90s Thomas Fords. Good looking fleet in my opinion!
Some where around July? I believe it is a main garage for them if they have something major! Trenton had some 88's still at beginning of the year.
|
Edited by - ic0730 on 03/30/2013 8:14:29 PM |
|
|
|
mr.bluebird
Active Member
United States
44 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2013 : 10:38:47 PM
|
| hi guys long time no see how is every one doing ? |
YOUR CHILDS SAFETY IS OUR BUSINESS!!! |
|
|
|
spin76
Active Member
24 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2013 : 6:20:54 PM
|
| Just wondering if anyone knows of any districts still operating buses with the 4 way reds (1990 and prior). When I lived in Ovid a few years back, they operated three buses with 8 ways but no side stop sign. (1991 models, Ward and Wayne). Most unique buses I have seen in a while. |
|
|
|
thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4404 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2013 : 6:55:54 PM
|
| Saginaw Public Schools still had some 1990 Wayne/IHC models running last school year with reds only. They outsourced last summer and I believe all of their old units are gone. I'm not aware of anyone running units that old anymore. |
If you have an International, you NEED customer service. |
|
|
|
overbyja
Senior Member
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2013 : 5:48:02 PM
|
| I was in my hometown of Menominee, in the U.P. two months ago. They still were running a 91 Intl. Blue Bird (originally #19 now #11) with the 8-ways and no stop arm. They also have an old Bird (#12) they're using as a moving truck (no seats) that had the Aeroflash conversion kit on it. It doesn't have any flashers now, but the 4 way holes are still there. |
 |
|
|
|
busman9726
New Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2013 : 7:21:50 PM
|
| Spring Lake was still operating a couple of 91 Thomas Int'ls, number 91-28 and 14-91 (formerly 91-29). They have spec'd them out however and have a tail fin, front crossbar, stop sign, LEDs, and eight ways. All are aftermarket except for sign and 8 ways. They also had some 87 Thomas Int'ls (87-30, 87-31, 87-32, and 87-33, formerly 3,5,6, and 8) with the same specs...all aftermarket, but have since retired them |
|
|
|
busman9726
New Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2013 : 7:25:02 PM
|
Also when I worked in Muskegon, Mona Shores had a mid 80s S-1700 (number 8) with 4 ways. It was about 5-6 years ago, but I think they still had it 2 or 3 yrs ago
|
|
|
|
spin76
Active Member
24 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2013 : 5:41:08 PM
|
| What's being bought/sold in MI this summer? Our district is unchanged after selling an 01 Amtran RE and purchasing an off lease 2008 bluebird all American rear engine. Great purchase too! |
|
|
|
AmTran Fan
New Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2013 : 1:50:27 PM
|
I used to drive for a contractor on Long Island, in NY. Alot of the older buses you will see up there still bear the Ward name. My favorite bus was an 89 Wayne, with a Ford body. My bus held 9 wheelchairs. It had an automatic transmission, and air brakes. My old bus rode like a lumber wagon, but it ran like no other. Needless to say, I was pretty upset when they made me retire my bus, and they put me in a 2000 Bluebird IHC. I hated that bus! I do not care what anybody says, the old Wayne's, and the late 90's Am Trans were the best! I have drove Wards, AmTran's, and the new IC's, and they made their biggest mistake by going away from the Am Tran brand.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Michigan School Buses
