Selecting a used shuttle bus for sale can be something of a difficult process. If you’re an industry expert, then you probably won’t have any problems. But if you’re newer to the whole bus game, then you’ll need a little help.
That’s where this article comes in. We’re here to lay a foundation of knowledge about shuttle buses, both used and new, and what the market is like. Maybe you’re not even sure if a shuttle bus is the right solution for your organization. Our goal is to give you a little more information so that you feel more prepared to make the best choice. So, when you find the right used shuttle bus for sale, you’ll be able to jump on the opportunity without hesitation.
We’ll go over the different aspects of the buses that you need to be aware of before you make your decision, and we’ll attempt to answer the most common and obvious questions you might have when trying to navigate the world of used shuttle buses for sale.
First, we should establish the basics about shuttle buses.
What are the best uses for shuttle buses?
Shuttle buses have a wide variety of practical applications. Here, we’ll take you through some of the most common ways that shuttle buses are utilized across different industries. They might give you some good ideas for how you might turn a used shuttle bus for sale into a huge asset for your organization.
Churches
This is definitely one of the top uses for shuttle buses. They’re popular with many churches as an efficient way to get community members to different activities. Whether that’s bingo night, youth events, or church conferences, these services make all kinds of events happen for people who might not otherwise be able to get to them. Or, if they could, they’re a lot more convenient this way.
Plus, some folks might not have another way to get to church services every week. Offering a shuttle service can ensure that everyone who would like to be there can be. Your community will appreciate the extra effort if you purchase a used shuttle bus for sale and then put it to work.
Hotels
Hotels often employ shuttle services to get their guests to and from popular attractions. Visitors might not bring their own cars with them, so providing alternate forms of transportation can be a big plus.
If there’s a must-see venue, area, or attraction near a hotel, it’s a great idea to offer a way for guests to travel there as conveniently as possible. Of course, some people will always prefer to get around independently, but it’s still a good idea to offer as many options as you can to make your guests’ stays as comfortable, fun, and memorable as possible. Finding the right used shuttle bus for sale near you is a great way to add to those options.
Airports
Driving to the airport is a nightmare for lots of folks. Thanks to shuttle bus services, though, you can avoid that headache.
These applications for both hotels and airports prove that a shuttle bus is a great idea for many businesses in the travel and tourism industry. If you run a company within those spaces, you should consider looking for a used shuttle bus for sale near you. That way, you can add value for your visitors and guests, and it will set you apart from your competitors.
College Campuses
Another place you’ll often see a shuttle bus motoring around is on large college campuses. Many students don’t bring cars with them to school, so shuttle services can be beneficial for them. We’ll cover some of the accessibility concerns shuttle bus services can address in the next section, but for now, just know that those same benefits can be seen on college campuses, as well.
Purchasing a used shuttle bus for sale can make sprawling campuses much easier to navigate for many students. Plus, universities will sometimes employ shuttle bus services to help students get home safely at night, which gives them and their loved ones some peace of mind.
Amusement Parks
Similarly, amusement parks or other big areas cater to weary guests with shuttle services as well. Options like this are especially important for people who have disabilities. Some of those who cannot get around as easily as others can really benefit from a shuttle bus that can quickly transport them from one side of the park to the other.
A used shuttle bus for sale can also be configured to have space for several wheelchairs, and the setup is often flexible. That means drivers can change the ratio of available seats as the needs of passengers change throughout the day.
Folks who use a wheelchair are definitely not the only ones who benefit from shuttle buses at amusement parks, though. After a long day on your feet, a bus ride back to the car can be the best ride of the day.
And many more!
Long story short, pretty much any place where people need to get around can be serviced by shuttle buses. They’re convenient solutions for crowds, spread-out attractions, and those with disabilities that impact walking.
We haven’t even touched on how your organization might also make good use of a used shuttle bus for sale if you run events where the parking is far away from the actual venue. Big festivals, expos, carnivals, and even weddings with tons of guests will often have to offer parking that sprawls far past a comfortable walking distance. Shuttling people from the far parking lots to the main attraction is a great way to keep guests happy.
These are just a few examples of popular uses for shuttle buses. Any organization that regularly needs to get a group of people from one place to another can benefit from operating a shuttle service. Not only is it a convenient way to get around, it can provide some other benefits, as well. Let’s look at a few of them in the next section.
Other Benefits of Shuttle Buses
Now that we’ve detailed the specific uses you can find for any used shuttle bus for sale near you, let’s look at some of the overarching benefits of using shuttle buses in any context.
When they’re used strategically, shuttle buses can decrease the amount of traffic on the road. It might not seem like a big difference, but every little bit counts. A few more cars off the road can mean less congestion in the area. That relieves traffic jams and makes everybody’s experience a little bit more headache-free.
An even bigger point in shuttle buses’ favor, though, is accessibility. In our car-centered culture, getting around is pretty difficult if you can’t drive. A shuttle bus can help fill that need and make activities more accessible to those without a car.
The environment is another key concern for any transportation operation. Vehicles are some of the most egregious offenders when it comes to driving climate change, so any way that we can get a few cars off the road is a win.
Are shuttle buses safe?
In a word, yes. It’s important to note that technically shuttle buses can be any size, but typically, when we’re discussing shuttles, we mean smaller buses that seat 8 to 15 passengers (although some shuttle buses can seat up to 35 people). All buses are built with safety top of mind. Features like steel roll cages, visibility windows for drivers, and well-placed grab bars cover all the bases when it comes to passenger safety.
Here at Central States, we are a dealer and distributor for ElDorado shuttle buses. These are industry-leading, top-of-the-line vehicles. Every ElDorado shuttle bus for sale meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and they’re all put through additional testing on ElDorado’s own track — the only manufacturer-owned track in the industry. They’ve got their own, even more rigorous safety requirements. We also distribute Diamond, Champion, Starcraft, and Arboc buses.
Shuttle Buses vs Vans
If you’re on the fence about whether to purchase a used shuttle bus for sale or opt for a van instead, let us make the case for shuttle buses.
First of all, they tend to be a lot more comfortable than vans. They’ve got more headroom, and they tend to have more space in general. You can often fit more luggage in a shuttle bus than in a van, and that makes the trip more convenient for many passengers.
Accessibility is another huge differentiator here. Most shuttle buses are easier to enter for people with limited mobility because the first step is typically closer to the ground than the first step into a van, and they typically have handles or a railing you can use to help you in. Vans often do not have that feature. Plus, many shuttle buses can be outfitted with wheelchair lifts.
We already talked about the safety factor for shuttle buses themselves, but how do they compare to vans? Long story short, they tend to be much safer. Most of those safety precautions and features we discussed in the previous section do not hold true for vans.
What to Look for in a Shuttle Bus for Sale
When you’re looking for a new or used shuttle bus for sale, there are certain aspects of the vehicles that you need to be on the lookout for.
Like we talked about earlier, accessibility is a huge concern when it comes to transportation. You want to make sure that everybody who needs to use your bus service is able to do so. That means you’ll want to make sure the used shuttle bus for sale you’re interested in has all the accessibility features you need. If the used shuttle bus for sale is on the older side, it might not have exactly what you’re looking for.
All the other things we identify as good to look out for in a used bus for sale stand true for shuttle buses as well. How many passengers will you need to transport? Is the frame in good shape? Do you trust your ability to judge things, or do you need to bring in an expert mechanic to give an opinion? Make sure you have enough knowledge on hand to make an informed decision, whether that’s your own or from an outside source.
Should I buy a new or used shuttle bus?
The short answer here is: It depends. We know that might not sound very helpful right off the bat, but hear us out. The benefits of new buses are pretty evident, but there are also a lot of upsides to selecting a used shuttle bus for sale instead.
Price is the obvious one that jumps out first. There might not be a whole lot of room in the budget for an extra vehicle, so searching for a used shuttle bus for sale can help fill the need without breaking the bank. And as long as you select the right used shuttle bus for sale near you, you’ll get a long time of faithful service out of the bus. Used doesn’t mean bad.
With the many customization options available for both new and used shuttle buses for sale, you can often get exactly what you want, no matter which option you choose.
Find the right used shuttle bus for sale near you.
We’ve covered every aspect of buying a used shuttle bus for sale. What you might use it for, what you should look for in the bus itself, and a look at the alternatives. We’ve talked over safety and accessibility concerns, and now you understand how well shuttle buses perform in both of those areas.
Now that you have all this knowledge at your fingertips, you should (hopefully) feel confident in your choice of shuttle bus. Whether you choose to opt for a new bus, a used shuttle bus for sale, or decide that you need a larger vehicle to accommodate your passengers, our bus experts here at Central States should be able to help you out.
We serve Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas, and we’d be happy to have a conversation about how our buses can fit your needs. Take a look through our bus inventory, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!