Best Bus Value for the money?

[HB of CJ]

Seems to me all this mess (concerns) may be completely avoided just by Chartering from a good company whenever you need a Coach?  Bottom line, bottom line.

Toos bad you're not out West somewhere, then the answer is easy; a recently retired Crown Supercoach ex-school bus with a Turbo Detroit, Jake and Allision.

Mid 1980's, two axles, about 36 feet long, 96" wide, (pick the flat glass model) white roof, seats about 40-50 high school students, 10-12 mpg, high quality, etc., etc..

Want to learn more about Crown Supercoach School Buses?  wwwcrownbus.com will get you to a site with all sorts of connections and stuff.  Good luck. HB of CJ

[NEO/Russ]

Thanks guys for all the great advice.  I passed them along and here is what my daughter had for replies;

Friday -

"1) Any feel for the annual mileage that will be put on this bus?   about 10,000

2) Will the bus be used more for day excursions, or multi-day trips? (cargo space underneath?)  will do some multi-day, so some cargo space is needed

3) On board bathroom facilities needed/desired?  doubt it

4) Does the usage lean more toward the types of trips where every seat will be occupied (ie: number of seats important), or extended trips where maybe 60-70 % of the seating is actually used.   

5) Will maintenance be handled by a commercial shop, or church members?  commercial--I know JD at C&J and already told them to go there.  He is FABULOUS and remembers me whenever I call or stop by.  They are also the guys that a lot of smaller shops in the area use(including the one the Scouts used near Green Bay)  Note: my daughter was Transportation Director for the Madison Scouts for about 10 years, she's about 5'-1" and has driven many kinds of busses, as well as 18-wheelers from coast to coast all hours of the day, so she has a good knowledge of getting repairs, and Jim [who has a CDL] was one of her drivers, but now retired.

Today -

"Jim checked with the activity guy at church.  Bathroom would never be used-if possible not having it would be better to avoid confusion.  Closer to 35 in that 35-50 passenger range.  They are actually replacing 2 - 15 passenger vans and a school bus with this(which means they are already aware of all the commercial vehicle size nightmares that go with a bus-though he appreciates all the info people have been writing in and will go over it all with the church council to be sure they haven't been missing something all this time).  The thought right now is to find the type of bus (brand, specs, price range) then run it through the beaurocracy of the church council.  If all passes-find and purchase a specific bus.
He says THANKS for all your help-"

So with that information - any suggestions so they can get a price range for a descent unit?

Thanks one and all....Russ

[Dreamscape]

I for one would contact another church that has a bus and ask lots of questions, you never know what lies around the corner.

Good Luck,

Paul

[HB of CJ]

Sorry if it appears I'm beating this to death, but a mid 1980's Crown School Bus can be had for a lot less than $5000.00.  Most of those year model's had the DD 671T with the 650 series 4 speed Allision.  A few have Jakes.

Some will have just been retired from school bus duty and may have a 2008 CHP (California Highway Patrol) school bus inspection, which is the mother of all examinations.  A state-wide political/environmental situation.

These perfectly good busses are being retired from active service one day and sadly most are going the next day to the wrecking yard where they are parted out.  Midship engine,  heavy truck components, huge brakes,

Absolutely superb handling, seat about 40 to 50 high school kids, (did I already say that?) have boxed frames with a bonded/welded/bolted aluminum body.  Cold/snowy options available.  Mine got 10 to 12 mph at 55 mph.  Top of 85.

Crown Coach went belly up in 1992 or soooss.  New Crowns cost about twice to three times more than the cheapo schoolies.  Twenty year or 200,000 warranty, bumper to bumper, parts and labor.  The best of the best.

Downsides is they don't have MEANINGFUL under floor storage.  Mine had two big trunks.  No toilet or A/C, but could be added if really needed.  Drives like a car, stops better than some pickups.  www.crownbus.com will get you started.

Another possible disadvantage is that Crowns were/are kinda a West Coast thing with a few getting as far as Colorado and New Mexico, but most in California.  Most of the components are off-the-shelf heavy truck stuff.   Hope this helps.  HB of CJ

[RJ]

Today -

"Jim checked with the activity guy at church.  Bathroom would never be used-if possible not having it would be better to avoid confusion.  Closer to 35 in that 35-50 passenger range.  They are actually replacing 2 - 15 passenger vans and a school bus with this(which means they are already aware of all the commercial vehicle size nightmares that go with a bus-though he appreciates all the info people have been writing in and will go over it all with the church council to be sure they haven't been missing something all this time).  The thought right now is to find the type of bus (brand, specs, price range) then run it through the beaurocracy of the church council.  If all passes-find and purchase a specific bus.
He says THANKS for all your help-"

So with that information - any suggestions so they can get a price range for a descent unit?

Russ -

Here's an MC-9 from rust-free Southern California.  This particular company, Inland Empire, runs a great operation, with a good PM program.  Would make somebody a good coach, for a reasonable price, so share this link w/ your daughter.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/971605309.html

FWIW & HTH. . .