Commercial buses are crucial tools for many organizations. When you’re trying to get a group of people from one place to another, few vehicles are going to suit your needs as well as a commercial bus. However, purchasing a commercial bus can feel a bit daunting. There are a lot of different options out there. How can you be sure you’re making the right choice?
Here, we’ve put together the different considerations you need to keep in mind while you’re shopping for a commercial bus for sale. First, we’ll cover some of the potential things you can put a commercial bus to use for once you purchase it. Then, we’ll discuss the different brands of commercial buses that you might be interested in. Finally, we’ll go over some of the more overarching considerations you’ll need to decide on when you’re shopping for a bus.
Let’s jump right into the big ideas here.
Why Should I Shop for a Commercial Bus?
If you’re not totally on board with the idea that your organization should purchase a commercial bus, then this section is for you. We’ll go over the different ways that a bus can greatly enhance a business or other organization and many of the applications for which you can use new or used commercial buses for sale.
Hotels
Having a way for your guests to get to some of the most popular attractions in your area can be a huge boost to their experience. That’s why some hotels look for a commercial bus for sale that will allow them to offer a shuttle service and add value for their guests.
Typically, smaller shuttle buses are great fits for this type of use. These vehicles do a great job of transporting tourists from their lodging to the exciting sights on their lists of must-sees. For travelers who didn’t bring or rent a car, or even for those who’d be more comfortable minimizing the amount of driving they have to do in an unfamiliar place, a hotel shuttle can be super convenient and lead to great experiences.
Churches
Helping out members of the community is a leading principle in many places of worship. To provide transportation is one of the ways they can assist their community members in living more fulfilling and healthy lives. Whether that’s by using a bus to get children to and from church events or getting people who have a hard time getting around to services, church buses can be a huge asset.
Church groups can also use a bus to visit hospitals, shelters, food pantries, and other community outreach and support locations. If you’ve got donations to bring to your destination, you can find a commercial bus with plenty of storage space. Shopping for used or new commercial buses can help you find a great tool to increase your community engagement and involvement.
Senior Living
Folks who can no longer drive often have a hard time getting out and about, and that can be isolating. Experiencing the world means getting out in it! So, having bus transportation options for seniors can be a huge quality of life improvement. Shopping for new or used commercial buses and choosing one could make a difference.
A bus can help keep residents active — visiting loved ones, attending medical appointments, grocery shopping, and all kinds of other outings. They can accomplish this all safely and somewhat independently. That can be a big draw for people looking to make a move to an assisted living or other senior-focused accommodation.
Another way a commercial bus can be used to help seniors is to transport them to and from day programs, which could also be a big help.
Transit Authority
One of the most common types of organizations looking for the right commercial bus for sale, local public transit authorities make heavy use of them. Getting more cars off the road is one way to help preserve the environment and climate, and public transportation buses definitely help toward that, but there’s a more central goal that these buses work toward. They aim to make it easier for citizens to get wherever they need to go.
Serving people with disabilities is a big part of that mission. Lots of different models of commercial buses can be reconfigured to accommodate those who use a wheelchair or other mobility device.
Healthcare
Some programs are out there to help people get to their medical appointments. This can be a key service for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to make it to see a doctor.
Providing adequate transportation to medical care is an important part of ensuring the health of a community. Buying one of the used or new commercial buses for sale out there to serve this purpose is a great pursuit.
What Type of Commercial Bus for Sale Should I Buy?
There are tons of manufacturers for commercial buses out there. How do you know which one to purchase?
Each bus is best suited to a different circumstance. Here at Central States, we sell seven different brands of commercial buses and vans:
- ARBOC
- BraunAbility
- Champion
- Diamond
- ElDorado
- MobilityTRANS
- Starcraft
These different manufacturers each have specialties in their new and used commercial buses for sale. Some of them are known for their top-notch accessibility features, others tout their safety record as their main selling point. All of these brands manufacture high-quality vehicles, and any of them could be the perfect fit for your specific needs.
Let’s dive into some specifics about each of these brands.
ARBOC
This company specializes in low floor buses. That makes entering and exiting the bus easy and convenient for passengers. New commercial buses for sale from this manufacturer meet high safety and dependability standards, and we have several different models for you to choose from: Spirit of Freedom, Spirit of Mobility, and Spirit of Independence.
BraunAbility
Our selection from this brand is actually a commercial ADA van rather than a typical bus. As the name implies, this vehicle is specially equipped to accommodate those who use a wheelchair or other mobility devices. BraunAbility poured over 45 years of quality experience into creating this vehicle, and it doesn’t disappoint. With a low angle ramp and low floor, getting in and out of this van is easy.
Champion
Your options from this manufacturer are vast and varied. You can find lots of great options for new commercial buses for sale from Champion. From small shuttle buses to ones that can hold as many as 38 passengers, you’re likely to find the right size for your needs here.
Champion Bus dates back to 1953 and uses that extensive experience to deliver high-quality vehicles that meet a lot of different needs. Check out their Challenger, Defender, and LF Avenger models.
Diamond
This is another commercial bus manufacturer that has a lot of different models for you to consider when you’re shopping for new or used commercial buses for sale. You might consider their VIP 3500 model for your biggest transportation needs and the Transit Nugget for getting smaller groups from place to place. And there are plenty of options from Diamond Bus in between, too.
ElDorado
One of the most exciting aspects of this company is that they’re on the leading edge of alternative fuels in new commercial buses for sale. So, if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly commercial bus option, ElDorado could be a great fit for your needs. Their buses are safe, durable, and efficient.
MobilityTRANS
For organizations like transit authorities, departments of transportation, non-emergency medical transport companies, and lots of other community resources, MobilityTrans provides vehicles that cater to those who use mobility devices like wheelchairs. One of their vans could be a great fit for your needs. While vans are different from new or used commercial buses, for smaller operations, they might be a better fit.
Starcraft
We offer the largest number of models from this company, so you’re sure to find new commercial buses for sale that suit your organization. Starcraft is the largest shuttle bus manufacturer in North America. You can trust their expertise and experience. You’ll find large windows, comfortable interiors, and lots of different options for seating plans and other features.
How Big Should a Commercial Bus Be?
Another major aspect to decide before you ever look at a commercial bus for sale is how many passengers you want to be able to transport. There are shuttle buses that will accommodate a small group of people as well as larger commercial buses that can hold as many as 30 passengers or more.
Once you decide the main purpose of finding and purchasing a commercial bus for sale, it will be easier to determine the size of bus you need. Too small, and you could have people whose needs aren’t being met, but too large, and you could be burdened with unnecessary difficulties in storage space and operation costs. Size will also impact how much a bus will run you.
So, do your best to create accurate predictions of how many people will be riding your bus. This shouldn’t be an issue if you’re only looking for a commercial bus to replace your current model. However, you might run into more difficulties if you’re trying to start a bus service from scratch and don’t have ridership data.
New or Used?
Budget is going to be a huge consideration here. Used commercial buses for sale are usually more affordable than their new counterparts, but other costs also need to be taken into consideration. If you don’t get the right used commercial bus, then you might be spending a lot on its upkeep, constantly repairing it. As long as you know what you’re looking for in used commercial buses, though, they can be excellent options.
New commercial buses are likely to offer more features for that increased price. If you’re looking for more advancements or newer technology in your bus, then you’re probably going to gravitate more toward a brand-new vehicle. However, you can also upgrade a used bus. It’s possible to get a lot of modern conveniences in years-old buses.
Also think about what you’re planning on using the bus for. If your organization has other buses in the fleet, how will this one fit in? And if this commercial bus for sale that you’re considering is older than ones you already have, will that be a benefit? How much work will you have to put into it before it’s comparable to the existing fleet? With many used commercial buses, the answer is none; they’re completely ready to go, right off the bat. With others, however, you might want to upgrade some of the parts or features. It’s really up to you and what kind of bus you buy.
This is all to say that you can get great options either way you decide to go. New commercial buses for sale have their perks, but so do used ones. It depends on what you’re looking for and what kind of availability is out there.
Buy Your Perfect Commercial Bus
Hopefully, the prospect of sifting through all your different options and choosing a commercial bus for sale feels a little less daunting now. We’ve outlined the different things you can use to measure how well a commercial bus suits your organization’s specific needs. Definitely think about how your organization will use your bus. New or used, frequent trips or seldom going anywhere, standalone or part of a larger fleet — all of these things and more will inform your choice.
To make it even easier on yourself, start your search here at Central States Bus. We sell both new and used commercial buses, and we’d love to connect you to the right bus for your needs. Whether you want to select a bus that we have in stock or order one through us, we are able to help you out and get you one the best bus for your needs.