But how much did that bus cost new?

[roach711]

We all know about how much a used school bus sells for but I had no idea how much they cost new until this just showed up in my local newspaper:


"The purchase of eight new school busses generated an interesting discussion about priorities at the Feb. 7th Farmington Public Schools Board of Education meeting.

The school district's Transportation Department uses a 12 year school bus replacement cycle. After a bus serves for 12 years, the district disposes of it or keeps it as a spare.

The recommendation, which ultimately passed 4-2, sought five 75-passenger busses at approximately $531,000, two 21-passenger special education busses able to handle wheelchairs for approximately $197,000, and a 12-passenger special-education bus for almost $68,000 - a total of not quite $800,000. The pricing came through the Michigan School Business Official's School Bus Bid Program.

The busses also required Espar heaters to start them in cold weather at a cost of $2100 each. "

Holy freaking crap! that's $106,000 a piece for the biggies and 68K for a shortie! For that price you'd think they'd at least come with a nice sound system and some sharp wheel covers.

The article went on to say that the transportation director didn't think the new busses were a priority but the board decided to buy them anyway to avoid "busses breaking down at the side of the road and parents wondering why their kids were late."

For 106K I say let the kids push the thing back to the garage.

[browncrown]

Here in CA, a new full sized Thomas or Bluebird will set you back about $165,000. Add another $10,000 or so if you want air conditioning

[somewhereinusa]

I'm assuming that is for dog nosed buses, which doesn't seem all that expensive when you consider that it's real easy to spend $30,000 on a pickup truck.

[dgorila1]

Originally Posted by roach711

We all know about how much a used school bus sells for but I had no idea how much they cost new until this just showed up in my local newspaper:


"The purchase of eight new school busses generated an interesting discussion about priorities at the Feb. 7th Farmington Public Schools Board of Education meeting.

The school district's Transportation Department uses a 12 year school bus replacement cycle. After a bus serves for 12 years, the district disposes of it or keeps it as a spare.

The recommendation, which ultimately passed 4-2, sought five 75-passenger busses at approximately $531,000, two 21-passenger special education busses able to handle wheelchairs for approximately $197,000, and a 12-passenger special-education bus for almost $68,000 - a total of not quite $800,000. The pricing came through the Michigan School Business Official's School Bus Bid Program.

The busses also required Espar heaters to start them in cold weather at a cost of $2100 each. "

Holy freaking crap! that's $106,000 a piece for the biggies and 68K for a shortie! For that price you'd think they'd at least come with a nice sound system and some sharp wheel covers.

The article went on to say that the transportation director didn't think the new busses were a priority but the board decided to buy them anyway to avoid "busses breaking down at the side of the road and parents wondering why their kids were late."

For 106K I say let the kids push the thing back to the garage.

I was Google searching for what a new school bus cost when I found this old post. I was thinking that if someone wanted to start with a new bus, maybe buying a basic “shell” (no windows, no warning lights, stripped interior) the price might be in the $50k range. Then put another $20-30k to complete the build and have an rv that would last forever, all new mechanical systems, warranty, etc. Boy was I WAY off in price!!!
Alternate idea would be to buy a good used bus and proactively refurbish all the mechanical systems to make it as reliable as possible. Expensive up front but good for peace of mind, reliability, and safety.

[2kool4skool]

FWIW. Our 2000 TC1000 w/air brakes, air door, 2 ACs, handicap lift lists for $37,000 new per the official at AZ MVD office. He looked it up in a BIG book.

[dgorila1]

Originally Posted by 2kool4skool

FWIW. Our 2000 TC1000 w/air brakes, air door, 2 ACs, handicap lift lists for $37,000 new per the official at AZ MVD office. He looked it up in a BIG book.

Interesting!

[cowlitzcoach]

Originally Posted by 2kool4skool

FWIW. Our 2000 TC1000 w/air brakes, air door, 2 ACs, handicap lift lists for $37,000 new per the official at AZ MVD office. He looked it up in a BIG book.

In WA state the official price quote for a brand new BB Type D FE bus with 48-pax seating with an average of center-to-center seat spacing of 27.5", with a lift, with hydraulic disc brakes, 200 HP Cummins B6.7, power service door, Allison PTS2500, and six 11.00x22.5 tires is $104,591.00.



A Thomas Saf-T-Liner EF equipped the same way has an official quote price of $101,519.00.


2018-19 State Quote Specifications

[PNW_Steve]

I stopped at the Bluebird dealer and looked at a new RE. Salesman told me that it was $140k.

[Rovobay]

When I bought my bus, the original invoice was included with the maintenance records. I believe it was $69k, but this could have been a package price if multiple buses where purchased at once. 2004 International CE200 T444E 8 window, hydraulic brakes. FWIW. 14 years later I bought it for $2200 with 170k miles...