Used, pre owned or second-hand are better words to describe a school bus that has already been in use for some time. Ideally, the best place to buy a school bus for sale is from school districts and schools because they take the safety of their students seriously and thus maintain their vehicles on a regular basis. When the buses are no longer useful to the schools due to age or condition they are sold in auction markets across the United States. Many schools have their vehicles operate beyond 10 years but most get them replaced because they get funding from the local, and state governments. Generally this is the perfect time to buy a bus. Alternatively, one can call schools and inquire with their transportation department if they will be selling off any of their vehicles any time soon. If they say yes next year, then that is the right time to contact them. The cost at which these giant buses are sold depends on several factors like size, age, mileage, location, overall condition, type of engine, transmission etc.
These buses are heavy and cumbersome and buyers often buy them either to convert into a recreational vehicle or to get spare parts. They typically need a commercial license with a heavyweight and air brake endorsement to be operated which requires a written test, a physical examination, and two road tests. Though they are cheaper and affordable, maintaining and managing them is a headache for most buyers. For example, the cost of regular maintenance for a used school bus can run into five figures in just the first 6 months of operations. Experts advise performing regular maintenance at intervals of every 6 months. Thus they may cost $3,000 - $10,000 initially, but by the end of a year, the total expenditure can be as high as $20,000+. Drive this vehicle for another 5 years and the total cost may exceed $75,000. The obvious question that arises is do you really want to buy a school bus when all costs are considered? The price keeps increasing year after year and the cost of parts replacement is high for these vehicles. In case of an unforeseen accident or breakdown, qualified repair shops may be far between. Moreover, wherever it breaks down be prepared to pay up to $5 per mile plus hookup charges to tow it to the nearest repair shop. Repair technicians go a step further to charge higher prices to fix a vehicle that has broken down on the road than a vehicle that was towed to their shop. The price difference can be 5 times higher for roadside assistance.
The above was all about maintenance. When it comes to driving, these buses are oversized and stretch up to 5 feet beyond the rear wheels. As a result, they tend to swing left when turning right and vice versa. The driver has to be extremely cautious not to hit someone or something when taking sharp turns. Because of their large size, they need longer, taller and more costly parking space. Generally they cannot be parked in residential neighborhoods or on town streets. Keeping them exposed to the elements will shorten their life, fade their appearance and performance and bring a lower price at the time of resale. Ideally they should be parked in a garage or barn, shed, of adequate length. Moreover, they can be operated only on primary roads. Because of their large turning radius, they should be kept out of narrow streets, lanes, and bylanes. If they will be used for public transport then they will be missing out on a big chunk of the market simply because they cannot operate in narrow streets. Almost all of these vehicles operate on diesel engines which is a big negative point due to the age factor, their engines and filtration system might get clogged leading to more emission of carbon and nitrogen oxides thus inviting harsh penalties from law enforcement agencies. The owner will have to spend to clear up the engine filtration and buy additional equipment to make sure the emissions are within the desirable limits. In the event of a breakdown diesel engine mechanics are harder to find because gasoline is the most dominant type of engine in the USA, repairing gas powered buses is less expensive and they rarely fail emissions testing. Due to these restrictions more and more buyers are demanding gasoline-powered buses rather than those operated on diesel.
If you are neither a spare parts dealer nor a travel enthusiast then you certainly need to relook at the reason you want to buy a yellow school bus. If price is the only factor then be prepared to pay more for repairs and regular maintenance. If you are a first time buyer then it would be much better to start your journey with a used 15 passenger shuttle bus for sale. These operate on gasoline engines, the dealerships fully recondition them from bumper to bumper thus they don't need much repair and maintenance, however experts still advise precautionary maintenance every 6 months but the cost will be much smaller compared to a large school bus for sale. Bigger buses need more maintenance than smaller buses. These smaller shuttle buses for sale can be used to access areas that are inaccessible by larger buses thus opening new markets in their target location. They can be operated instantly after purchase with a regular license. Registration, insurance and parking too is cheaper in comparison. Thus the possibility of a transportation business achieving success with a minibus for sale is more than with a school bus in the long run. With minibuses, transporting just 10 to 20 passengers a day pays all the bills. But with a larger school bus the expenses will be high which need to be compensated by transporting more passengers. On average a school bus is 5 times bigger than a shuttle bus.
Thus think about your requirements once again and try to figure out if a shuttle bus can fill out all your needs. If you are still confused and need consultation then feel free to pick up the phone and call Major Vehicle Exchange at 516-333-7483 today! We have been reconditioning shuttle buses for more than three decades and known their ins and outs thoroughly. Moreover, buyers from all industries have purchased our vehicles. Thus when you buy from us, we know what you are looking for. Accordingly we can give you the best advice on industry practices to help you make a better buying decision. Alternatively it will be a good idea to visit our website and check out all the vehicles we stock before making a phone call. Shortlist your favourite vehicles and then call us immediately during business hours. We have a long list of satisfied customers and hope you will join the list too.
https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-buy-an-old-school-bus/answer/Charles-Kaufman-8
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