Choosing the right bus for your church is an important decision and can be a daunting task amid the never-ending lists of features, safety concerns, and maintenance and warranty issues. 

In many cases, people purchase a bus based on style or because it's what a neighboring church has. If you go in this direction, you may either overspend or have to go bus shopping again soon. Let your needs, not wants, drive your decision.

By arming yourself with some basic knowledge, and a list of "must-haves" vs. "like-to-haves," you can feel confident about making the right choice and rest assured that the members of your organization will be traveling comfortably and safely.

1. Price
Price is an important factor since most churches operate on limited budgets. Depending on size and specs, the average price for a new bus is around $125,000 to $175,000 for a full-size bus. That may seem like a lot of money, but consider the cost over 10 years, which is the average lifespan of a church bus.

If choosing a lease, consider how long you will want to keep the vehicle and the operating conditions that you will encounter most often.

Regardless of whether you decide to buy or lease your next bus, establishing a realistic monthly payment that will fit into your budget is a crucial first step. The appropriate dealer should be able to offer competitive and customized leasing or buying terms.

2. Size
Consider the number of passengers that will travel on board at any given time. Fifteen-passenger vans have ranked among the industry's most popular for years, but due to their greater risk for roll-over, legislators and insurance companies are beginning to implement requirements that may eventually phase them out of the market.

A basic 15-passenger bus, which is heavier and better balanced, is recommended for those traveling with a smaller group of people. While the required bus size depends on the size of the congregation, most groups opt for a 14-to-33 passenger bus.

Church-provided transportation is popular among an organization's elderly population or members with disabilities, so total accessibility is a must. Look for a vehicle with a low floor design, easy entryway, and a spacious interior. That way, elderly members won't have to climb up to board the bus, and individuals with mobility concerns will have plenty of room to maneuver once on board.

Also, consider a vehicle with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramp, which meets the boarding and exiting requirements of members in wheelchairs or scooters – cutting loading time in half. To ensure a comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers alike, the bus should be equipped with front and rear air suspensions that provide a kneeling feature to assist in the boarding and unloading of the passengers.

3. Power
A reliable powertrain is an absolute must. Today's diesel engines are clean burning, quiet, and more fuel efficient than older diesel engines. In addition to being up to 40 percent more fuel efficient than gasoline engines, diesel engines offer the added benefit of being more durable and requiring less maintenance. While horsepower is important, torque is just as important to ensure greater startability. 

For a typical church bus, consider a diesel engine that offers a minimum of 200 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. When coupled with a medium-duty automatic transmission, such as the Allison 2200PTS, these specifications are ideal for both day-to-day driving and long-distance highway trips where all but the steepest grades are anticipated. 

4. Maintenance
This can be a challenging issue for some and should be part of the inquiry when shopping for a bus. A bus that is easily maintained typically means that actual maintenance will take place. Properly maintaining a vehicle of this magnitude is critical to its lifespan and overall value, so require that your vehicle is checked and serviced on a regular basis. 

It is best to purchase from a dealer that is part of a network capable of providing full dealer support for the body, chassis, engine, and low-floor components. If your bus will travel out of state, it may require servicing while on the road. An affiliate dealer in the area will be familiar with your bus model.

Ensure any bus you purchase has undergone the Altoona test. This accelerated durability test provides a systematic process that records expected vehicle performance over the life-cycle of the bus, giving you a better idea of what the lifespan of your bus will be. 

5. Extras
Some bus manufacturers now have optional features that make maintenance and diagnostics easier; plus, they improve safety. Integrated telematics systems transmit valuable real-time information about how your bus is being driven and how it is performing directly to your computer. By providing total integration of wireless communication, vehicle monitoring systems, and GPS, you can monitor concerns such as fuel economy, maintenance scheduling, cost controls, and even track where your vehicle is and where it has been.

Once you have narrowed down your choice, take each one for a test drive. The goal of a test drive is to reproduce the same type of driving conditions the church bus will be used for after purchase. Try to get the church's own driver to conduct the test drive, and invite some members along to get passenger feedback. Drive the bus in both stop-and-go traffic and at highway speeds. Get in and out of the bus several times, and be sure to sit in the back seats where some manufacturers struggle to provide a smooth ride.

It's a good idea to do all test driving in one day. Driving several buses back-to-back will help you uncover even minor differences, which will lead to a more educated purchase decision. A new church bus is a big investment; make sure you spend enough time in your analysis of the vehicles considered.

Transportation is an important church activity that fosters togetherness and provides valuable and memorable experiences for members. By keeping these tips in mind, you can choose a bus appropriate to your organization, allowing the congregation safe and carefree travel.

Mark Brakeall is the manager of commercial bus marketing for IC Bus, headquartered in Warrenville, Illinois, and an affiliate of Navistar, Inc., www.icbus.com.