Putting All of the Pieces Together
By: Char Miller

Churches have varied transportation needs. Some churches operate a daycare center or a school and use the vehicles to transport children and students. Other churches only use their vehicles to transport people to worship services. Some use the vehicle for youth group retreats, while others pick up senior citizens from nursing or assisted living facilities for outings.

Purchasing a bus is often an involved and sometimes long process. Just getting started can seem overwhelming.

So, what should your church consider when purchasing church transportation? Here are five keys.

Key Number One
The first thing to evaluate is how the vehicle will be used and how often.

How many passengers will generally be traveling in the vehicle? Will any of the passengers be using mobility aides, such as wheelchairs or scooters? What floor plan will you need for wheelchairs? Will you want a wheelchair lift or purchase a vehicle that uses a ramp instead?

A few years ago, the government issued a warning regarding 15-passenger vans for transporting children to and from church activities. Insurance companies are raising or eliminating insurance for these vehicles. With more and more churches getting away from the unsafe 15-passenger vans, they are looking for other options for transportation.

What is becoming prevalent today in church transportation is purchasing buses. While some churches are buying used buses, more and more are looking at new buses, where they can custom order the bus that best fits their needs.

Be careful if you are looking at purchasing a used bus. Some of them have been traded in from shuttle or transit service and could end up costing a lot in repairs. You don't know how hard the bus was driven or if it was maintained well.  

Buses are built to safely transport passengers and are designed with a lower center of gravity to reduce the possibility of rollover. A wide entrance door, higher ceilings and aisles make entering and exiting easier than a van. Low-floor buses make boarding even easier, especially for those who use mobility aides. Passengers can enter the bus via a ramp, allowing everyone to board with equal dignity rather than having to experience the uncomfortable feeling of being raised in the air on a lift.

Key Number Two
Church leaders that handle all the transportation needs should check around with several reputable bus dealerships to determine which have a commitment to meet your transportation needs.

Ask the dealer a lot of questions and also ask for references. You can also ask at other churches that have buses to see where they bought their vehicle and if they would go back there to buy another.

Be sure the dealer asks what you will be using the bus for, such as youth group or senior ministry. A good dealer will help you understand each type of bus so that when you decide on a vehicle, you can do so with confidence that you have found the one that will best serve the needs of the church.

Buses are different than autos when it comes to warranty plans. The chassis, conversion, rear air conditioner, tires, alternator and certain options, such as electronic entertainment products, all have separate warranties. Be sure to get a detailed explanation on each warranty.

Evaluate what size of bus will be the best fit for your church.  The most popular sizes that churches purchase are the 15 passenger, 25 passenger and 30+ passenger size. If you buy a bus that carries 15 passengers plus a driver, most states require the driver to have a CDL (Commercial Driver's License).

Key Number Three
Once you determine the needs of your church, you can check the cost of purchasing a vehicle. Prices on church vehicles can vary greatly depending on the size of the bus and options, such as luggage storage and electronic entertainment packages.

When planning a budget to purchase a vehicle, don't forget to include maintenance, proper insurance, fuel and storage for the bus. The bus could last more than 10 years if properly maintained.

Churches need to do regular maintenance on their vehicles. Church buses tend to be the least-maintained vehicles. Designate one or two people to be in charge of maintenance.  Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on oil changes, safety checks and other maintenance. Oil changes should be made every 3,000 miles, and the bus should be kept clean inside and out.

Keep a checklist that logs maintenance checks and mileage. Also, it's a good idea to find a good shop or dealership that works on buses or trucks. Once you find one, continue to take the vehicle to the same shop. They will become familiar with the bus and be able to spot signs of deterioration early to avoid costly repairs.

Determine if you want to pay cash for a church vehicle or finance one through a local bank or finance company. Some dealerships offer financing assistance and a buy-back program. Leasing is also another option, depending on the number of vehicles you are looking for. 

Key Number Four
Consider your needs for optional equipment. Optional equipment offered by bus manufacturers include everything from handicap-accessible equipment, luggage storage options, seats with trays and beverage holders, electronic entertainment packages, restrooms and driver cameras. 

Churches in hot climates should talk to the dealer about having an air conditioning unit powerful enough to keep the bus cool. Likewise, those in cold climates need a heating system that would keep the passengers warm on the coldest days.

With routes that are short and shuttle-like, a small bus with minimal options might suffice. If your trips are going to include long sightseeing trips, you might also want to consider comfort. Fabric high-back seats that recline and have side sliders, which allow extra elbow room, along with arm and foot rests are popular options. Also, luggage storage, seat belts and perhaps a restroom should be considered. 

Buses can be custom built to fit the particular needs of your church ministry. The dealership you chose to purchase from can recommend special options that add to the comfort and safety of your passengers.

Key Number Five
Inquire with members from the congregation to see if any of them have experience driving buses, semi-trucks or heavy equipment to train your drivers in operating the bus.

If there is no one within the church that fits those qualifications, check outside sources to get drivers with the best possible training. Special training on safety equipment, emergency response procedures, report filing and defensive driving also is a good idea.

Be sure to train them in doing safety checks on the tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, fluid levels, etc. to be sure everything is working properly before driving the vehicle. Knowledgeable drivers will ensure that the vehicle and its precious passengers arrive at their destination safely and that the bus is a well-maintained investment.

Char Miller is marketing coordinator for Glaval Bus, www.glavalbus.com.

Product Roundup

Collins Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB)
Multi-Function School Activity Buses by Collins provide safe alternatives to non-conforming van transportation.  Features include:

• Reinforced, galvanized steel body
• Smooth, sturdy ride for added comfort
• Safety of a small school bus without the added expense of hiring commercial drivers

Collins builds every certified bus from the chassis up. Buses are available in a variety of models and floor plans. 
www.collinsbus.com

Starquest by All-Trans
Starquest by All-Trans is a 15-passenger replacement vehicle for 15-passenger vans.  Starquest features:

• Welded-steel cage chassis and dual rear wheels
• Lower profile and low entry height
• Excellent handling and visibility.
• Center aisle with two-and-two seating
• Rear or interior luggage areas
• Wheelchair stations

All-Trans sells eight-passenger vehicles up to 45-passenger transportation vehicles, including buses, vans, paratransist units, and coach buses.
www.alltransco.com

Sprinter Shuttle by DaimlerChrysler
The Sprinter Shuttle by DaimlerChrysler is a great bus for short shuttle trips, day tours and everything in between. Designed for passenger safety and comfort, the Dodge Sprinter Shuttle features:

• Dual-panel, outward opening door for easy passenger access
• Low step-in-height for faster and safer boarding
• High visibility windows
• Full-height interior
• Comfortable seating 
• Exceptional climate control system
• High-performance Mercedes-Benz engine and automatic transmission
• Low fuel consumption—up to 22 miles per gallon on most routes

The bus is available in a variety of floor plans, with wheelchair lifts and other options available. 
www.dcbusna.com

Freedom/Freedom XL from ChurchBus.com
Freedom and Freedom XL by ChurchBus.com offer safety, comfort, reliability and affordability. Features include:

• Dual rear wheels for stability
• Steel cage construction
• 158-inch wheel base and 22-foot body, providing ample leg room
• Reclining seats
• Overhead reading lights
• Ford chassis

Churchbus.com selects top bus manufacturers to build the shell of the vehicles.
www.churchbus.com

Glaval's Universal
Universal by Glaval is a mid-size bus, built on the Ford E-350 or E-340 Super Duty cutaway chassis. It features:

• Wrap-around steel inner-cage construction
• Clean style and rugged, synergistic design
• Seating capacity to 25 passengers
• Upgraded electrical systems
• Custom driver console
• Larger windows
• Undercoating with warranty

Glaval, which produces buses with seating capacity to 45 passengers, has been manufacturing transportation solutions for more than 30 years.  
www.glavalbus.com

Aerolite
ElDorado National has introduced an updated version its Aerolite model. The new version features:

• Passenger entry door in the body
• Great design for church applications
• Optional cloth interior package to provide a more automotive look

The bus also can be easily configured so a CDL license is not required
www.enconline.com

Glaval's Titan from Carpenter Bus
The Titan by Glaval is quiet, comfortable, durable, steel-framed bus transportation for your church needs. It features:

• A wide variety of floor plans to accommodate up to 42 passengers
• Versatile range of wheelchair lifts, tie-down restraints, if needed
• Powerful Duramax 6.6 or 8.1 liter diesel engines
• Durable Allison transmission

The Titan is available from Carpenter Bus Sales. 
www.carpenterbus.com  

Master's Transportation
Master's Transportation, Inc. is one of the leading bus distributors in the Midwest and is a major supplier to the church market across the U.S.  Master's specializes in sales, leasing and servicing of:

• New and late-model Van Terras (15-passenger van replacement)
• People movers,
• Shuttles
• Coaches
• Church/school buses

Churches can choose from more than 100 new/late-model buses in stock, or Master's can customize a new vehicle to meet a church's needs from one of the company's five bus manufacturers. 
www.busesbymasters.com