How wide?

[pengyou]

Are all school buses the same width? Does that width include the mirrors or only the body? Is there a fudge factor with that 102"?

 

[EastCoastCB]

from google/wiki-

All school buses are of single deck design with step entry. Depending on specifications, school buses are currently designed with a seating capacity with up to 90 passengers. In the United States, school buses are restricted to a maximum width of 102 in (2.59 m) and a maximum length of 45 ft (13.7 m

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_bus

 

[pengyou]

from google/wiki-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_bus

Do all mfg push the limit on the width of the busses? Do you know when this limit was increased? Was it 2000? The reason I am asking...I read a post on this site from a couple of years back about someone who was thinking of adding insulation to the outside of the bus in order to preserve the space inside the bus. That idea really appeals to me because....frankly speaking, I'm a wuss when it comes to temperature and climate control...I am thinking in terms of tinyhouse rather than RV, so will be live in 24/7..and I also like quiet as well. I ran into the 102" restriction...thought maybe I can fudge it a bit...but than did some more reading...many/most/all ferries have a 102" width restriction, campgrounds, state parks, state highways, parking lots, etc. It doesn't sound like a very good idea...but if the law was changed in 2000, then busses prior to 2000 are probably only 96" wide...that gives me 6" to play with Seems the 1999 40' bluebird is 96"....

 

[tugboater-SKO]

The reason I am asking...I read a post on this site from a couple of years back about someone who was thinking of adding insulation to the outside of the bus in order to preserve the space inside the bus.

These guys tried...fought the law & the law won. :biggrin:

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

The vast majority of school buses are 96" or less. Also the vast majority are 40' and under. There will be very, very few that exceed either of these dimensions. There are still a lot of narrow streets and roads these have to run on while getting/returning kids.

 

[Kubla]

Just remember that mirrors do not count in overall width of the bus, just the body

 

[PNW_Steve]

The vast majority of school buses are 96" or less. Also the vast majority are 40' and under. There will be very, very few that exceed either of these dimensions. There are still a lot of narrow streets and roads these have to run on while getting/returning kids.

I've looked at a LOT of buses since I bought my first one 25 years ago.

If there are any SCHOOL buses over 40' long or 96" wide, I have never seen one.

Coaches and shuttles commonly are built up to 45' and 102"

 

[Ohregano]

I'm just assuming my bus will be around 7.5 feet wide. I hope that is the case or my plans won't work out too well.

 

[cowlitzcoach]

from google/wiki-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_bus

Not to rain on anyone's parade but IIRC the national standard for school buses is 96" wide maximum and 40' length maximum not including mirrors, rubber fenderettes, lights, bumpers, etc.


Transit buses, RV's, highway coaches, and trailers can be up to 102" wide.



Maximum height for all vehicles is 13'6".

 

[geminusprime]

Apparently since at least 2015 it's 45' according to everyones unreliable source of knowledge, wikipedia and a link from "National School transportation Specifications & Procedures".

http://www.nasdpts.org/ncstonline/Documents/NCST%202015%20Specifications%20and%20Procedures%2011.1.16.pdf


Page 59
OVERALL LENGTH Overall length of the bus shall not exceed 45 feet, excluding accessories.


OVERALL WIDTH
Overall width of bus shall not exceed 102 inches, excluding accessories.




Add that to your unicorn list - a 45 footer.

 

[cowlitzcoach]

Apparently since at least 2015 it's 45' according to everyones unreliable source of knowledge, wikipedia and a link from "National School transportation Specifications & Procedures".

http://www.nasdpts.org/ncstonline/Documents/NCST%202015%20Specifications%20and%20Procedures%2011.1.16.pdf


Page 59
OVERALL LENGTH Overall length of the bus shall not exceed 45 feet, excluding accessories.


OVERALL WIDTH
Overall width of bus shall not exceed 102 inches, excluding accessories.




Add that to your unicorn list - a 45 footer.

I stand corrected about the national standard.


WA state spe'c limits: OVERALL LENGTH—Maximum length for school buses sh all be limited to 43 feet. If over 40.5 feet, there may not be more than 14 rows of seats.



I went through the manual and I could not find the spe'c for the overall width.



I do know the 102" wide Lion bus is not available for sale in WA because it is 102" wide.


http://www.k12.wa.us/transportation/pubdocs/SchoolBusSpecManual.pdf

 

[geminusprime]

Has anyone ever seen, either in person or online, a school bus over 40'? I can't find any images online or any information really.

 

[cowlitzcoach]

Has anyone ever seen, either in person or online, a school bus over 40'? I can't find any images online or any information really.

The only bus that would come close to being longer than 40' was the one off TAM bus from back in the day. But I don't think it was over 40'.


The problem becomes weight limits and bridging weights.



Anything over 40' would require a third axle. Whether it would be a tandem axle like some of the Gillig, Crown, and a handful of Thomas Saf-T-Liners had or it would have to have a tag or bogey axle like most motorcoaches. Whatever it was you would have to have a third axle. A two axle 45' coach would have too much weight on any one axle. It would also make the wheelbase unworkable with turning radius so large as to not be able to get around any city corner.

 

[Dirtdoctor]

103” maximum widthMirrors on a vehicle do count- only permitted loads will allow legal widths over 103”.

 

[shorthair-SKO]

Just remember that mirrors do not count in overall width of the bus, just the body

DOT rule is the mirrors can be up to 5" past the 102 limit as can load securement devices, after that you must have an overwidth permit.