Bus manufacturers have been around since 1826, when Stanislas Baudry set up his “omnibus” shuttle line between downtown Nantes, France, and his public bathhouses. Two years later, he expanded to Paris; the year afterward, bus makers began service in London and New York. In 1895, German manufacturer Netphener Omnibusgesellschaft modified a Benz truck into the first “autobus.”
Early bus manufacturers made carriage buses that let people travel freely between the inner city and suburbs, encouraging urban socializing. Bench seats forced passengers to sit together and get to know one another, further encouraging social interaction.
Today, bus makers manufacture many styles for various transportation purposes:
1. Transit bus manufacturers make double-decker and extended “bendy” buses to carry large numbers of people within cities, as well as heavy-duty models for intercity and interstate transit.
2. Tour bus manufacturers build in comfortable seats with extra leg room and equip tour buses for performers.
3. Shuttle bus manufacturers typically build small, fuel-efficient units designed to carry small groups of people between two points such as hotels and airports.
4. Charter bus manufacturers equip either a transit or shuttle bus body with more comfortable seats and improved suspension to give a luxurious ride.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Ride with bus makers who offer more bus for the buck
Bus manufacturers who've been around for a while know how to apply their expertise to consistently deliver transit, tour and charter buses for sale that deliver more value for less cost.
I recommend: The largest volume commercial bus manufacturer,
El Dorado National manufactures eight lines of commercial buses from its California facility.
Blue Bird Corporation has been a leading bus manufacturer since 1927, offering innovative design in commercial and school buses. Its Ultra LF combines European styling with North American sensibilities, while its Xcel 102 offers more features at a value price.
Chart your course with charter bus manufacturers
Because people hire a charter bus for a specific purpose such as a group vacation, those who ride it expect more than they do from a transit bus. Charter and tour bus manufacturers add both visual styling and amenities for passenger comfort.
I recommend: Charter bus manufacturer
El Dorado National makes seven different charter bus models in its Kansas facility.
Prevost offers dependable, flexible charter buses for sale that feature ergonomic seats, panoramic side windows and optional hot or cold galleys.
Get from here to there and back in a shuttle bus
Shuttle bus manufacturers may build smaller buses, but quality shuttle buses are no less safe or reliable and are more varied in size than transit or tour buses.
I recommend: Glaval Bus manufactures transit, shuttle and tour buses in lengths from 21 to 38 feet and passenger capacities from 15 to 45 passengers. Units feature welded square tube steel subfloors covered with pressure-treated plywood.
Ride the bus again
While reputable bus manufacturers offer good products at good prices, sometimes buying a used bus and refurbishing it makes better sense.
I recommend: Transit Sales International has been buying buses from reliable sources, refurbishing and reselling them for more than 50 years and even offers the option to
lease used buses.
CR Buses completely refurbishes its buses and can configure a used bus to any user’s needs.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Look for bus manufacturers who incorporate diesel-electric hybrid or compressed natural gas fuel technology in their buses to reduce pollution.
- Look for used buses that originally came from areas with mild climates, such as the western United States.
The official source of Bus and Charter Manufacturers is
the Bus and Charter Manufacturers page at Business.com
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