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themikepeng
Active Member

USA
27 Posts

Posted - 01/19/2016 :  11:52:15 PM  Show Profile  Visit themikepeng's Homepage  Reply with Quote
The writing seems to be on the wall. The IC RE, my favorite bus seems to be dying.
  • There is only 1 engine option left. This is never a good sign.
  • The bus has not recieved as much as a facelift since MY 2009.
  • I have read several stories on this forum saying that they're switching from IC REs. Same goes for my area's districts. They used to operate Amtran/IC REs almost exclusively, and now they're going with HDXs or even type Cs.
  • Type Ds in general seem to be troubled. Their market share has went from 19% in 2005, to 13% in 2012, and then to 11% last year (SBF Fact Book). I don't think type Ds will die out, but I have definitely seen the least IC REs out of all new type Ds, which suggests that if one RE has to go bye bye, it'll probably be IC's
  • It seems that IC has produced very little REs in the past 2 years. Searching for 2015 or 2016 IC RE gives almost nothing, while I can easily find images of 2016 HDXs and All Americans. I only found a video of a 2015 IC RE on Youtube, and some failed bids for 2016 models.
  • IC has discontinued the AE and BE series. While I'm hoping this means they will be able to focus a little more on the RE, it also may mean IC is thinning out their product lines.
Only advantages of the IC RE seem to be that the engine and bus are both made by Navistar, and that there is a 42' 2" length. Lastly, I have seen very little mention of the IC RE on this forum in the past few years. I hope someone will know more about IC's plans than I do. Thanks in advance

bluebirdvision
Top Member

USA
1081 Posts

Posted - 01/20/2016 :  11:34:58 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
In my opinion type Ds cost more to purchase, run in a fleet and the maintenance cost is also higher. I am not sad to see them decrease in popularity.

Facebook Page: Blue Bird Corporation Fans
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_212311114614&ap=1


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Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 01/25/2016 :  02:56:08 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
At last check (3 months ago), IC is testing an RE prototype with a Cummins ISB. It's just not market-ready yet. Absolute silence on the FE coming back, so don't hold your breath there.

There certainly isn't much of a market for an RE bus in comparison to the type C and to a lesser extent, the FE's.
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themikepeng
Active Member

USA
27 Posts

Posted - 01/25/2016 :  8:54:21 PM  Show Profile  Visit themikepeng's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Thomasbus24

At last check (3 months ago), IC is testing an RE prototype with a Cummins ISB. It's just not market-ready yet. Absolute silence on the FE coming back, so don't hold your breath there.

There certainly isn't much of a market for an RE bus in comparison to the type C and to a lesser extent, the FE's.


Whoa, who told you? Even that would be an awesome change!

model school bus collector! website
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my personal fleet
https://sites.google.com/site/modelschoolbuses/my-fleet
my store
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Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 02/01/2016 :  04:37:54 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
IC rep
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themikepeng
Active Member

USA
27 Posts

Posted - 07/22/2016 :  8:12:02 PM  Show Profile  Visit themikepeng's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Wow... awesome!
http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/news/714517/ic-bus-to-offer-cummins-l9-engine-for-re-series-school-bus

model school bus collector! website
https://sites.google.com/site/modelschoolbuses/
my personal fleet
https://sites.google.com/site/modelschoolbuses/my-fleet
my store
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/schoolbusmodels
youtube
https://www.youtube.com/user/lolfunnycp
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thomas4life
New Member

7 Posts

Posted - 11/28/2016 :  5:41:26 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Looks like everyone is going to Thomas or Blue Bird

------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not a driver, I'm a fan.
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1983WardFord
Top Member

USA
1395 Posts

Posted - 11/29/2016 :  11:08:16 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I dunno about that...there's still a fair amount of new ICs (mainly conventionals) coming through the dealership next door. Lots of schools down where I am are running them.

Due to the current economic condition, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off until further notice.
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Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 11/30/2016 :  08:31:21 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'm seeing IC CE buses popping up in places I never imagined I would. Thomas is also gaining strength around my area.
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Brad Barker
Administrator

USA
874 Posts

Posted - 03/16/2018 :  8:48:57 PM  Show Profile  Click to see Brad Barker's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Conventional buses are much more economical to own, purchase and operate. RE buses do have their place however. Many districts which operate in steep mountain terrain prefer the RE's due to the added traction at the drive wheels. Also, increased passenger capacity to 90 in some models. IC RE needing a facelift? Why change something that is the best looking bus available? (that ought to start some commentary)

Brad A. Barker
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Sherm
Top Member

USA
621 Posts

Posted - 03/17/2018 :  06:24:14 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Conventional buses also have the engine outside of the passenger compartment; something I feel is a big safety advantage. A rear-engine transit provides somewhat of a firewall, but the engine is still right under the back seat.
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dferrell
Senior Member

102 Posts

Posted - 03/29/2018 :  09:28:41 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Here in California, most fleets seem to run the rear engine stuff. When I was at the Blue Bird factory several years ago, they said that most fleets that buy and run the conventional buses, usually only keep their buses for around 15 years and so they build them to last that long. Out here, we keep buses for 30+ years so we need the best, most heavy duty thing we can get.
I think it would be interesting to do a cost comparison between them. All of our buses are 84 - 90 passenger and packed full, so we would need more buses and drivers to transport the same amount of kids. Also, if buses are worn out in 15 or 20 years, we would have to buy 2 conventionals for the life of 1 pusher.
I had never driven a conventional until we went to the factory. The first thing I immediately noticed was how loud the drivers area is due to the engine noise. With the rear engine, you really just barely can even hear the engine. In my opinion, this makes it much easier to deal with passenger management.
Obviously, advantages of the conventional is that they are cheaper and they are much easier to get around the engine.
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Sherm
Top Member

USA
621 Posts

Posted - 03/29/2018 :  10:31:14 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
We're slowly retiring a fleet of rear-engine All Americans over the next few years. The drivers love them, the mechanics tolerate them, but the rust issues catch up with us after 15-17 years. If not for rust, they would be worth the investment here in Ohio just like out west.
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