school bus maintainence - American Bus Sales

Are School Buses Planning for a Greener Future?

Posted on May 7, 2021March 28, 2022 by American Bus Sales

Our school buses are an integral part of our society. Each day they are responsible for transporting thousands of students around the country. Because school buses are on the road for long periods, they are also big polluters. Since we need school buses as a means of transportation, there is a push to help clean up their journey by replacing diesel school buses with electric alternatives.

Here is some important information that you should know about the switch:

Why is There a Push to Clean Up the School Bus Journey?

Believe it or not, around 480,000 school buses carry tens of millions of kids to school across the country every day. Now, fewer than 1% of buses on the road in the U.S. are electric. If school buses continue to switch over to a more environmentally friendly option, they can drastically reduce harmful CO2 emissions in the air.

A 2018 report by PIRG Education Fund shared that encouraging U.S. school buses to switch from diesel to electric can cut emissions by nearly 5.3 million tons, equivalent to taking close to a million cars off the road.

The Goal is to Cut Emissions and Costs

By switching to electric buses, schools can now focus on saving or using the extra money they saved towards improving schools. Since electricity is cheaper and easier to maintain than other fuels, schools can find themselves saving thousands of dollars per year.

Why Might Someone be Cautious About Purchasing an Electric Bus?

Since electric buses have proven themselves to come with many benefits, it seems like an easy decision to make the switch. However, you may want to keep in mind that electric buses are much more expensive than diesel buses. If a school board is considering switching over to an electric bus fleet, they should be prepared for the cost difference. Sometimes this switch can cost a district thousands of dollars.

The costly switch is particularly a problem for lower- and middle-income communities, where pollution levels are likely to be worse. Studies have also shown that disadvantaged areas with higher air pollution levels have also been linked to lower academic performance. So, although switching to electric buses may not financially work for you now, it’s something to highly consider in the future to help improve academic performance and air quality.

Are Electric Buses Linked to Better Grades in School Districts?

Although gas and diesel emissions won’t cause physical harm to a student, some studies have shown that these emissions can impact students’ brains. Believe it or not, improving your air quality in a district can improve test performance in students. One study showed that students who weren’t exposed to traditional school bus emissions scored nearly 5% higher on tests.

How Can You Refuel an Electric Bus?

Although purchasing an electric bus can be costly upfront, you will save on other costs that come with a gas or diesel bus over time. One of the major drawbacks to propane and other physical alt-fuels is that your school district needs a source for those fuels. However, electric buses make it easy for buses to refuel! All an electric bus needs to recharge is to be plugged directly into a local power grid.

You may even find some districts setting up solar panels to help generate free power for their buses.

Making the Switch to Cleaner Transportation

Currently, Mike Cooper, the Director of Global Innovation at National Grid Partners, is working with the Clean Transportation team at National Grid to help schools play their part in decarbonization. Even adding just 25 electric buses into service could result in large benefits like reducing as much pollution as taking 1,600 cars off the road and potentially cutting running costs by a total of $37.5 million.

This project is still in the approval process and is expected to be approved in July of 2021.

To learn more about this project, check out National Grid’s article! In the meantime, if your fleet is looking for a new, affordable bus to add, be sure to check out our selection of new and used school buses for sale!

If you have any questions, contact American Bus Sales today.

Changes You’re Going to Start Seeing in the School Bus Industry as Children Start Heading Back into School

Posted on April 30, 2021June 11, 2025 by American Bus Sales

After a full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen more schools reopening and signs showing that life is making its shift back to “normal” conditions. As schools reopen, we have seen several safety precautions in place and a steady change in how school bus fleets are being operated.

Here are some big changes you’re going to start seeing in the school bus industry as children start heading back into school:

Physical Changes to Your School Bus

Electric School Buses Are Gaining in Popularity

There is a slow but steady change in how school buses are being powered. Shortly, we expect to find only electric buses in a large proportion of fleets. According to the Biden Administration, we may see the change being to shift soon because they are planning for an all-electric U.S. bus fleet for both transit and schools by 2030.

Changes to Help Electrify Fleets

In the future, you can expect to see more of a vehicle to grid technology, which enables the use of electric bus batteries for energy storage and selling electricity back. Switching to a pay-as-you-save program will help customers install more energy-efficient and cost-effective systems.

Changes to Transportation

Besides the school bus structure, you’re also going to notice some significant changes to how your school bus operates. From attempting to keep students physically distant to promoting new safety procedures, there are quite a few changes these days.

Keeping Windows Open on The Bus

Weather permitting, most school buses are making it a rule to keep their windows open to increase outdoor air circulation. Drivers will continue to keep their windows open as long as it does not pose any safety or health concerns to the riders.

Masks Must Be Worn on The Bus

One of the most important rules that bus drivers are implementing is enforcing both children and adults to wear masks while riding the bus and at arrival/departure points. Bus drivers have been keeping extra masks on their buses to give to students who may have forgotten theirs. This rule is usually mandatory across states unless an individual has a medical condition in which they can’t safely wear a mask.

Seating Restrictions

Seating assignments are one of the biggest changes that we’ve started to see on buses. Typically, there is just one student seated per row, alternating window and aisle seating. If it’s possible, drivers will usually assign seating by skipping a row. Members of the same household can sit with each other, and usually, each bus rider will have a designated seat that is the same every day. In some cases, you may find that your bus driver will also provide a partial plexiglass partition between the driver and passenger sections.

Visual Signage Will Be Added to Buses

When you enter a school bus, it will be common to see signage with visual cues to encourage physical distancing protocols. The signs will also be useful to communicate this information to students with vision or reading disabilities.

As more and more schools are making the switch back to in-school learning, these are just a few changes that you can expect to see from your school bus fleet. School bus drivers must follow CDC guidelines and prevention recommendations, including cleaning and disinfecting the bus.

If you’re looking to add buses to your fleet as you prepare to head back to school, please contact American Bus Sales to learn more about our new and used buses selling nation-wide.

Three Reasons You Might Want a Yellow Bus Painted White, and The Five Benefits to Having American Bus Sales Step Up to The Task

Posted on February 1, 2021February 27, 2026 by American Bus Sales

Does your bus need a fresh coat of paint? If so, consider making the switch from yellow to white! Here are three great reasons why you might want to change your bus color:

Color Can Affect the Temperature of Your Bus

The first reason you might want to repaint a bus from yellow to white is bus temperature! Have you ever noticed that the tops of school buses are painted white? There is a reason for that. Studies show that painting the tops of buses white made the interior temperature drop an average of 10 degrees during the summer and only 3 to 4 degrees in wintertime. Even if a bus has AC, the white paint reduces the load on the AC system, and fuel consumption by up to 20%! White repels solar radiation better than other color and keeps the bus all around cooler.

You Can Use Your Bus for Other Transportation Purposes

Reason number two is that you might want a bus for transportation purposes other than a school route bus. Churches, Daycares Facilities, YMCA’s, Summer Camps, Tech Schools, Junior Colleges, Mobile Businesses, and Food Truck conversions are just a few industries where a re-purposed school bus might be a great fit. In some states though, it is required that you paint the bus a different color if it isn’t being used as a school route bus.

School bus yellow was chosen because it attracts attention and is noticed quickly in peripheral vision, more so than any other color. So, if you are looking to purchase a new or used school bus, but not for route purposes, painting it white would be a great choice.

Showing Off Your School Pride

The last reason that you might want to repaint a school bus is to show off your school pride with a custom activity bus. Activity buses are usually white and built to FMVSS standards. They are used for field trips and sports instead of carrying students to and from home and school.

They do not have amber and red warning lights, stop arms, crossing gates, or other equipment mandated on route buses. Many also have more comfortable seating, nice luggage bays, and other luxuries not allowed on school buses.

Most schools choose to add graphics to their white activity buses, allowing students to walk off the bus with pride and admiration for their school.

Do you want to see an example of one of our many bus transformations? Check out one of our latest projects where we transformed a church bus!

5 Benefits of Choosing American Bus Sales to Repaint Your Bus

American Bus Sales employs highly trained paint technicians.
We can correct any body damage at the same time.
We have a state-of-the-art 60-foot paint booth.
We offer fast turnaround times to get you back on the road ASAP!
American Bus Sales can apply custom graphics to your new paint job to make your bus stand out.

Are you ready for a fresh coat of paint on your school bus? Contact the professionals at American Bus Sales today at 866-574-9970! While you’re here, don’t forget to check out the other amazing services we offer for your fleet.

6 Great Benefits of Installing a Camera System into Your Fleet

Posted on December 2, 2020August 6, 2025 by American Bus Sales

School buses and shuttle buses always have a constant flow of passengers. A bus driver can only monitor so much while they focus on the road ahead. Nowadays, you’ll find more and more fleets installing camera systems into their school buses and shuttles.

Many benefits come with installing a camera system into your fleet. Besides providing the drivers and passengers with extra security, it can also monitor behaviors and increase bus safety.

Let’s look a little more closely at some of the amazing benefits of adding a camera system into your bus or shuttle:

Driver Protection

Bus drivers trust that their passengers will act appropriately while riding the bus. However, sometimes things can get out of hand. That’s where your security camera comes in! By having a security camera on your bus, you can monitor any inappropriate or aggressive behavior on the bus.

Your security camera will help investigate any unacceptable behavior, and it will be permanently documented in case you need to look back on it.

Ensures Student Safety

Because security cameras help monitor students, the drivers, and other staff on the bus, your school district can ensure maximum safety. Your camera will always be running from the minute the student enters the bus until they’re back home.

Notifying students that the bus has a camera system will also help discourage bullying or inappropriate behaviors. When students are aware that their actions are being monitored, they will be discouraged from acting inappropriately for fear of being punished.

Ensures Safety When Crossing

Now, many fleets are also placing cameras on the stop-arm of their bus. Having a stop-arm camera will help capture any stop-arm violations. It will also document key details like the date, time, location, and license plate number of the vehicle. All these details will help law enforcement review the incident.

Drivers who don’t follow these rules will receive tickets for which they are responsible for paying very heavy fines.

Monitor Driver Behavior

Not only will your video systems monitor your passenger’s behavior, but it will also monitor your driver’s behavior. Although it’s rare, there are times where drivers can get involved in issues such as impulsive driving, improper behavior, violating traffic laws, or frequently running behind schedule.

Being recorded on a surveillance system will help to ensure that your drivers are more careful about driving and that their job responsibilities remain a priority.

Camera Systems Help Track When Students Board and Exit the Bus

In the rare event that a school official gets a call from a parent who is missing their child, your school bus will be able to provide clear evidence to help determine the child’s whereabouts. Your school bus camera system will track when and where a student is picked up and dropped off.

Helps Prevent Theft on the Bus

The presence of a security camera will also help to prevent theft between passengers on the bus and to deter any other destruction or violence. In the case of an incident breaking out, the monitors can help alert local authorities if needed.

Installing Camera Systems to Your Fleet

Are you looking to install a camera system in your fleet? At American Bus Sales, we will install camera systems and other new technology to your fleet to ensure maximum safety.

Give us a call today at 866-574-9970 to learn more about our bus services!

4 Ways We Determine When It’s Time to Replace the Seating in a Used Bus

Posted on November 30, 2020July 9, 2025 by American Bus Sales

Across the U.S., hundreds of thousands of school buses take the road each morning to take children to school. With the amount of time that school buses travel on the road, it’s easy for them to need yearly repairs and maintenance, especially as they get older. One area that specifically needs a lot of maintenance is your bus seats.

Your bus seats take a beating, and they show it. However, did you know that most of the damage to your seats is intentional? That’s right. Children have been known to pick, poke, and write on bus seats intentionally. In fact, vandalism is one of the leading reasons for damage to a seat cover.

Because worn-out seats can be uncomfortable, and pose risks to the passenger’s health and safety, here are a few signs that it may be time to replace your bus seats:

Vinyl is Torn, and The Underneath is Exposed

Some bus drivers may not be too concerned about having the cloth underneath the vinyl exposed. However, it can be a huge safety concern. The vinyl used for school bus seats is often flame retardant. This means, once the cloth is exposed underneath the covering, it may no longer be flame retardant.

Always make it a priority to inspect your seating for damage or signs of wear to avoid potentially hazardous conditions. If you notice any signs of exposed foam or cloth, this indicates that the fire block capability has been impacted, and you should get the seat cover replaced as soon as possible.

The Bus Seats Are Loose

Children love to push, pull, and grab onto the school bus seats. Once a bus seat becomes too loose, it can cause serious injuries. Every bus seat should be connected to the floor to prevent any passengers from falling or hurting themselves.

This is also a great time to check the conditions of your buses seat belts. If your seat belt has detached from the seat, is fraying, or doesn’t work properly, the seat is probably due for a replacement.

Check for Signs of Worn Out Cushioning

Not only are worn-out seats unpleasant to sit on, but they can also contribute to injuries in the case of an accident. If seats deteriorate too much, the bracing underneath the seat can be felt through it, which is uncomfortable and dangerous.

Because young children like to pick old, worn-out seating, some drivers will result in duct tape to temporarily fix their seating. Duct tape is not a permanent or safe solution. If you notice any significant damage to your seats, you should always ask a professional for their help before fixing it yourself.

A variety of factors can cause the extent of wear damage. Including the number of students on your bus, their ages, and the number of runs the bus makes in a defined period.

Are the Seat Backs Reliable?

Children like to grab ahold of the seatbacks to help get them up and off the bus once they’ve reached their destination. Seat backs must remain well-padded because they serve as an extra layer of protection if your bus gets into an accident. Because they go through a lot of everyday stress, it’s important to perform routine maintenance check-ins to ensure that they remain in the best shape.

Installing New Seating in Your Used School Bus for Sale

At American Bus Sales, we have the proper tools and resources to repair or replace the vinyl seats on your school bus. Our goal is to make your commutes a safer and more comfortable experience for your passengers.

Whether you’re looking to purchase a pre-owned school bus, or you need repairs done to your current fleet, contact American Bus Sales today at 866-574-9970.

Is This Technology in Your Fleet? If Not, Consider an Upgrade!

Posted on September 29, 2020July 9, 2025 by American Bus Sales

With all of the technology available for fleets today, it can be overwhelming to decide what you need for your operations. Most fleets already have a management software solution, but there are plenty of other add-ons available to improve your operations.

Before choosing any technologies to invest in, let’s take a look at a few that have proven to improve fleet operations:

Adding a GPS Tracking System to Your Fleet

One of the best ways to help you get to where you’re going is by adding a GPS to your fleet. With a GPS, you can improve your productivity while lowering your fuel costs and preventing distracted driving behaviors. Your GPS will help you get to your destination quickly and safely.

Install Forward-Looking Camera Systems

Vehicle cameras are a great safety feature that is constantly changing. Each year it seems that your dashcam videos have been getting better in quality. Many fleets like to include vehicle video systems in their buses because they help defend the driver in the case of a collision. Every move can be tracked using a forward camera system, so if your fleet gets involved in an accident, it will be captured on camera.

Mobile Technology and Applications

Because mobile technology and cellphone apps play a significant role in our lives today, you can expect to see them playing a significant role in the future of fleets. Nowadays, more drivers have been using mobile devices and tablets, as opposed to a binder full of papers, to help them complete their tasks more efficiently. Certain apps can assist drivers with planning routes, marking attendance, and helping drivers perform multiple takes with minimum disturbance.

Driver Tablets

In the past, school bus drivers would typically use printed out directions, and binders filled with everything they need to know about their students. Now, to help drivers increase accountability, safety, and efficiency, drivers are using in-vehicle tablets. The tablets will help drivers keep track of their daily tasks, while effectively communicating with their dispatch with information on what’s happening on the road. Believe it or not, these tablets help drivers become less distracted because now everything is in one place, and not in a stack of papers within a binder.

Adding Student Wifi to Your Fleet

Students spend a lot of their time on the bus for their morning and afternoon commute. With wifi playing a crucial role in everyone’s life, students should be able to access it during their commutes to get a head start on assignments during their long commutes.

Drivers can even use filters to make sure students are using the internet safely and not using this time for entertainment or gaming purposes.

Motion Detectors on Buses

No bus driver ever wants to have a child left behind on their bus. While there are plenty of safety features that prevent this problem from happening, it never hurts to have a system in place to ensure maximum safety.

Now, technology can help assist drivers by using motion detectors to detect any movement in a vehicle. It can pick up on even the slightest of movements, including heartbeat or breathing.

If the device detects a child on the bus after it has been parked, it will immediately alert the driver and operator of the fleet so that they can attend to the matters as quickly as possible.

Installing Technology into Your Fleet

At American Bus Sales, we sell and install many technology features for your fleet of school buses. Our goal is to make your drive safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable experience. Check out our available technology and give us a call at 866-574-9970 today with any questions!

Managing Your Fleet During the COVID-19 Down Time

Posted on September 9, 2020July 9, 2025 by American Bus Sales

The repercussions of COVID-19 have affected nearly every industry. While business is picking back up, and school is back in session for some, we still face some unanticipated downtime that we aren’t used to experiencing. Although most companies would rather be back up and running at full speed, try to slow down and take advantage of your downtime.

Your priority is to protect your employees and the people they come in contact with. It is also important to focus on managing assets, reducing business risk, and maintaining your budget. Now that you have the time to focus on your business, it makes sense to focus on developing a management strategy for your fleet.

During these times, it’s important to ensure that your fleet is efficiently managed and maintained. Here are some excellent ways you can be proactive, and keep your fleet healthy during these unexpected times:

Work on Your Maintenance Efforts

Because there can be a lot left unknown in terms of when businesses will be up and running back to normal, take this opportunity to jump on board and increase your maintenance efforts to help prepare your vehicles for when things begin to return to full service.

By getting ahead now, you will be ready to resume full operations as soon as it’s approved. Keeping up with your fleet maintenance will help you prevent future downtime, give your business the upper hand, and take you one step closer to returning to normalcy.

Track Your Vehicle Expenses

Another task that should be included in your fleet management system is expense tracking. These trying times can be hard on your company financially. Take the extra downtime you have to gather an understanding of your expenses. This is especially important if you plan on receiving fleet maintenance during these times.

Cleaning Your Fleet

During these times, cleanliness and safety protocols are extremely important. Ensuring that your fleet is in its best shape will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 to your employees and customers or students. Always sanitize your vehicles and equipment periodically throughout the day, and before and after every use.

Also, encourage your employees to follow the same protocols. If they work with others throughout the day, make sure that they are wearing their protective equipment such as masks and gloves. They should also actively practice social distancing with both their coworkers and their clients.

Manage Your Inventory

Remember, during these times, you’ll find shortages in nearly every industry. Keep in mind that a lot of the parts and assemblies needed for your fleet are shipped internationally. So, if you have an unexpected breakdown but you don’t have the parts in stock, this could cause a severe disruption your fleet management efforts.

By keeping track of your inventory, you will be well prepared to order products well before they are needed.

Install New Technology in Your Fleet

If your fleet is a little dated, now is a great time to give it the upgrade it needs. Customers are used to having access to technology, so it’s important that you modernize your bus by adding some. You can even make it as simple as adding a new GPS. Adding technology will increase the value of the bus, and keep it up to date with newer buses on the road.

Work With American Bus Sales to Optimize Your Fleet Management

At American Bus Sales, our service center can help you optimize your fleet management efforts. We provide bus services such as cleaning, maintenance, repairs, inspections, and installation of new technology in our service center.

Make the most out of your downtime and give our professionals a call at 866-574-9970.

What To Know About School Bus Conversions (Skoolies)?

Posted on August 25, 2020December 8, 2021 by American Bus Sales

Once a school bus is taken off the road, it doesn’t mean that it’s no longer useful. There are plenty of uses for retired school buses. Nowadays, school buses are being renovated into mobile homes and restaurants. When a bus is given a creative new purpose, it is referred to as a “skoolie”.

When people use the term skoolie, they are usually referring to a bus that has been transformed into a tiny home. However, as skoolies continue to become more popular, they have been converted into food trucks too. If you enjoy being on the road, a skoolie ia a great housing or restaurant alternative.

Because this is a newer term in the travel and transportation industry, we wanted to answer some of the most asked questions to help you start planning your own bus renovation.

How Long is a Shuttle?

Shuttle and school buses come in a variety of sizes, which is helpful when you’re purchasing one to convert. At American Bus Sales, we have new and used shuttle buses that range from 8-39 passengers. Depending on the size you need, we can accommodate by providing you with new or used shuttle options.

If you’re looking to repurpose something larger, we would suggest looking at our new and used school buses. We also offer a variety of different bus sizes, and many of our options include wheelchair access.

When you’re shopping for bus options, you can always request more information about the bus you are interested in so you can get exact measurements and plan accordingly.

Where Will You Convert Your Skoolie?

Before you purchase the size of bus you need, think about where you will be converting it. If you are buying a large bus, you need to have a place to work on it. This includes finding a place to park it without violating any of your town’s rules.

If you realize that you don’t have any space to complete your project, you might want to ask your friends and family to rent their space or look for other workspaces.

How Much Does a Bus Cost to Buy?

After you’ve determined the size of the bus you need and figured out a place to convert it, it’s time to purchase your bus. So, how much does a small bus cost to buy? If you’re looking for a used shuttle bus, it can cost anywhere between $13,000-$79,400, depending on the size you need.

At American Bus Sales, our used school buses range in prices depending on their size, model, and year. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can purchase a used school bus for as low as $3,500!

What Can You Do with A Skoolie?

The best part about a skoolie is that you can customize it any way you want. After you purchase your bus, you can begin to gut it and clean it out. Once that’s complete, you’re free to start getting creative. Many people have added wood siding and ceilings to make their bus feel more like home. There is also a lot of interior space to add a kitchen, living area, bedroom, and bathroom. Plus, you can even re-paint and decorate the outside.

Because of the popularity of food trucks, another alternative that you may see on the road is a food skoolie. School buses are larger and roomier than your traditional food truck. A used school bus gives you plenty of space to move around and prepare food. Not to mention, buses are also very affordable, even with all of it’s excess storage space.

How Long Will Your Skoolie Last?

Used school buses are very reliable, and you can continue to get a lot of use from them even when taken off the road. Of course, this varies based on how well-maintained the bus has been and the type of engine it has. However, if you purchase your bus from a professional bus sales company, they will be sure to set you up for a successful journey.

Where Can You Purchase a Used School Bus?

If you need a used school bus, American Bus Sales can provide you with quality new and used school or shuttle buses. At American Bus Sales, we offer a wide variety of school buses for sale in different sizes, makes, and models to meet all your transportation and conversion needs. Give us a call at 866-574-9970 today with any questions you have about purchasing a bus.

What You Need to Know About Purchasing a Used Bus

Posted on May 15, 2020November 11, 2025 by American Bus Sales

The average expectancy of a functioning school bus is about 12 years. However, when a bus is taken out of service, it doesn’t mean that it’s no longer useful. When you’re looking to purchase a used bus, the most important factor to consider is if it has a healthy engine. As long as the engine shows that the bus still has a lot of life left, you can begin to think about your next step! Before purchasing a used bus, let us give you a few tips that may help you to answer some of the questions you may have.

Know the History of the School Bus

Like any used vehicle, you’ll want to learn a little more about its history before purchasing it. Usually, by learning more about the vehicle’s past, you can help determine the future it may have. Check the overall mileage, as well as the service history of the bus before purchasing. You should also know if your bus has had any recent repairs over the past few years to help predict the future outcome of the bus.

You may run into a situation where your bus may have had an engine or transmission replaced, which will most likely lead to a long future with that bus. On the other hand, you may find that there are more significant problems with the transmission or brakes that may be more difficult to fix than you expected. If you purchase your bus from a reliable bus sales company, they can provide you with the insight you need to find a bus that’s right for you.

Prices of Used Buses

Purchasing a brand-new bus can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, whereas used buses can range from $3,000 and $15,000 depending on the size you need. Most often, used buses are sold for a lower price because they will most likely need some form of repair down the line. Regardless, if you’re tight on money, purchasing a well-functioning used bus is still a great place to start. Although it may not be the long-term investment you are looking for, many used buses still serve a useful purpose for those in need and can still drive safely for years on the road.

Keep Up with Bus Maintenance

After purchasing a used bus, it’s important to keep up with routine maintenance checks more often than a brand-new vehicle. Once you get your bus, one of the first things you should do is to change all the fluids in the vehicle and pay close attention to the oil. For extra precaution, you can have the oil analyzed during every change to give you a better indication as to what can be happening within your bus, or to prevent problems that may come up with your bus.

When you purchase a used bus, you should want to learn everything you can about it. Don’t be afraid to ask your bus sales company any questions you may have about buying a used bus before purchasing. Asking questions beforehand will help ensure the overall performance and safety of your bus.

Is a Used Bus a Good Investment for Me?

There are a few reasons why someone may purchase a used school bus. Some school buses are purchased by those who wish to use them as recreational vehicles, while others are used for church, camp, activity buses, or converted for use as food trucks. Before purchasing your bus, you need to have a valid commercial driver’s license. Obtaining a license involves passing a written test, two road tests, as well as a physical. If you plan on using it for recreational purposes, make sure that you’re allowed to keep it parked at your home before purchasing it!

Purchasing a Used Bus in Oklahoma

If you’re looking to purchase a used bus, American Bus Sales can provide you with a quality used bus. Whether you’re looking to use your bus for service or thinking about retrofitting it for RV use, you’ve come to the right place! At American Bus Sales, we offer a large variety of school buses for sale in different sizes, makes, and models to meet all of your transportation needs. Plus, we’ll even help you customize it! Contact us online or give us a call at 866-574-9970 to request a quote today!

School Bus Maintenance Tips for the Winter Months

Posted on January 13, 2020July 9, 2025 by American Bus Sales

Winters can be extremely harsh on school buses, so it requires a specialized maintenance plan for the added strain of cold air, ice, and snow. To keep your bus running efficiently throughout the entire winter, you need a specific winter maintenance plan that prevents problems unique to the season such as rust, tire slippage, or engine problems.

While it is always best to have your bus maintenance plan in place ahead of time, it is never too late to get started.

Here are a few tips to help maintain your bus throughout the bitter cold of the winter season:

Keep all lights, mirrors, gauges, exhaust, suspension, emergency accessories, etc., operational. A driver should not start a route if a bus problem is detected.
Replace any slick tires in order to maintain good traction, especially for winter driving.
Install new wiper blades if needed and check washer fluid levels.
Check the heater and the defroster unit for efficient operation.
Inspect the engine compartment for cracked water hoses, frayed belts, leaking water pump or radiator, etc. Replace or repair as needed to prevent potential problems.
Check the weather-stripping around the emergency door to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the bus.
Replace broken or cracked window glass and check to see that all windows close securely to protect passengers from the rain and cold.
Inspect fuel systems for leaks, cracked lines, loose mounting brackets, etc.
Check the cooling system regularly. Do not neglect this system.
Keep a timely record of service, repairs, or inspections done on each bus.

With these tips, you can ensure that your fleet is running efficiently throughout the season. American Bus Sales is one of the nation’s leading pre-owned school bus sales companies. Dedicated to quality and safety, American Bus Sales sells a variety of buses to suit a wide range of transit needs., American Bus Sales also specializes in maintaining used school buses. Visit our service page or call our service department at 1-866-574-9970 ext. 102 to schedule a service or maintenance check for your bus!

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