A school bus is a type of vehicle that is used regularly to transport students from home to school or other school-related activities. Mainly owned and operated by schools or school districts. It is not like a charter bus or transit bus. In the USA and Canada, most of the school buses are found in yellow colors that provide valuable services to different cities across the USA and Canada.
School buses are also found in exterior warning lights which gives them top priority in busy traffic roads. Also these buses have additional safety devices.
How Much Do School Buses Weigh?
As school buses come in many types and sizes, there is no specific weight of school buses. However, you expect a school bus weight on average 24387 pounds or 11062 kg or 12 tons.
You will find most of the school bus’s weight based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating(GVWR) which includes the Vehicle’s body, chassis, engine and engine fluids, accessories, fuel, divers, passengers, cargo etc.
Various Categories Of School Buses:
In North America mainly four types of schools buses are produced. They are as follows:
Type-A: Small size bus that has left side doors for drivers. And use cutaway in the front part. This type of bus is divided into two subdivisions Type A-1 and Type A-2. Type A-1 buses weigh less than 10000 pounds and Type A-2 buses weigh 10000 pounds or more. This is the maximum allowable weight when the bus is fully loaded with fuel, passengers and other items included. One type bus of this range that produced in 2004 weighed 14000 pounds and carry more than 10 people.
Type-B: This type of school bus can carry more than 10 people on board. The body of the bus is attached to the front section. It has an entrance door that is located behind the front wheels.
The engine is located beside the driver’s seat and behind the windshield. The weight of this type of bus is over 10000 pounds to 14000 pounds. Currently, this type of bus is rare and mainly manufactured and used for specific requirements.
Type-C: This type of school bus is the traditional typical school bus you see on the roads. It has a flat chassis body and the engine is located in front of the windshield. Passenger’s door is placed behind the front side of the wheels. The gross weight of this type of bus is over 10000 pounds and typically 23500 pounds to 29500 pounds. This C-type bus also can carry more than 10 passengers on the board.
Type-D: Type-D bus is also known as forwarding engine(FE) or rear engine(RE) bus depending on the engine location. In the (RE) bus the engine is located behind the rear wheels. This bus is also known as a “transit style bus”.The entrance door is located ahead of the front wheels. On average the GVWR of this D-type bus is more than 10000 pounds and typically weighs between 25000 pounds to 36000 pounds.
How Long Is A School Bus?
School buses size varies depending on the length. A regular size school bus weighs length can be up to 45 feet. So, on average school bus’s length can be around 20 feet to 45 feet. Buses with 20 feet to 25 feet long are known as mini or short bus and buses with 25 feet to 35 feet long are known as mid-size buses. And buses with over 35 feet are known as full-size buses.
How Buses Are Measured?
Usually, buses are measured bumper to bumper to get the total length of the bus.
How Much Does A School Bus Cost?
The cost of a school bus depends on various models and specifications. Depending on the type a new bus cost can be around $90000 to $290000. As most of the school buses require financial grants to cover their renewal cost, added investment can be beneficial if the initial maintenance cost is lower and the service life is longer.
How Much Does A Used School Bus Cost?
You can get a used school bus within $4000 to $10000 or more. This type of bus can go 120000 to 180000 miles. Also, buses with 20000 to 50000 miles can go from $15000 to $40000 or more.
Fun Facts:
>>The word school bus comes from the Latin word “omnibus” meaning “for all”.
>>The first school buses were known as school hacks or school trucks around 1886 and most of the people did not use them!
>>School buses have no seat belts and are 70% safer than usual vehicles.
>>In the USA all 50 states have laws for school buses!
>>In the USA school buses transport more than 26 million students!
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