10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING YOUR BUS
1. WHAT DOES THE BUS NEED TO DO FOR YOU?
What type ministry application will your bus serve? For what activity does your senior community require? What needs do you have in a mobile medical unit/specialty vehicle?
2. CDL OR NOT?
(Commercial Driver’s License) Any vehicle designed to carry more than 15 passengers (including the driver) is required to be operated by a CDL licensed driver.
3. CAN A CDL BUS BE CONVERTED TO A NON-CDL BUS BY REMOVING SEATS?
NO! Regulation code §383.5 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states: “Designed to transport” means the original design.
Removal of seats does not change the design capacity of the CMV (commercial motor vehicle). For more information, please go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
4. ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION
“DO NOT” spend your hard earned money with a bus manufacturer that IS NOT ISO Certified. To get information and definitions of ISO Certification please visit their web site at http://www.iso.org/iso/en/iso9000-14000/iso9000/faqs.html
5. FIBERGLASS BODIES...NOT METAL
Don’t be misled by “a fictitious sales pitch” regarding the safety of fiberglass body vehicles. Fiberglass body vehicles meet the same safety regulations as a “Yellow School Bus”. Fiberglass body construction has steel reinforcement inside the side walls. Our average customer has kept their bus for 12 years. Why? Fiberglass Does Not Rust.
6. GAS OR DIESEL?
Will you be a high mileage operator? When deciding on a gas or diesel engine, keep in mind that payback on a diesel engine is approximately 150,000 miles.
7. HOW MUCH AIR CONDITIONING DO YOU NEED?
You “CAN NOT” install too much A/C. Don’t be misled by lower priced vehicles that “DO NOT” have enough A/C.
8. HANDICAP LIFT OR NOT?
If the possibility exist that you may need a lift in the future, order your new bus with the “lift doors” installed. We can add the lift and tie downs when the need arises. Note: Wheelchair Lift Doors cannot be installed after the vehicle is built.
9. STORAGE SPACE?
Assessment of your storage needs is an important factor when designing your vehicle. Will you need overhead storage, driver storage area, luggage storage, or wheelchair/walker storage?
10. FINANCING & LEASING
ASK!!! We have a variety of financing/leasing options to meet your needs. We will be happy to sit down with your organization/committee during your budgeting process.