Starting A Transport Service? What To Look For In A Shuttle Bus
Posted on: 13 July 2020
If you're in the market for a new shuttle bus, take your time. You want to make sure that you get the best one for your money. After all, you'll be shuttling passengers around town. You want to make sure they're safe and secure. To help get you started, here are four things you should look for when buying a shuttle bus.
Passenger Capacity
When it comes to buying a shuttle bus, the first thing you need to look at is the passenger capacity. You know you want your shuttle bus to offer seating beyond the typical passenger vehicle. But, if you don't plan to hire a commercial driver, you'll need to limit the capacity. That's because drivers are required to have a commercial license whenever they transport more than 15 passengers in a commercial vehicle. You can avoid the issues with licensing by choosing a 15-passenger shuttle bus.
Flooring Condition
If you're in the market for a shuttle bus, spend some time inspecting the flooring. This is especially important if you plan to buy a used bus. Shuttle bus floors see a lot of wear and tear. Unfortunately, the wear and tear can lead to leaks and cracks. It can also lead to soft spots. Soft spots occur when too much weight is placed on one area of the floor. You can feel soft spots under your feet. Before you buy a shuttle bus, make sure you walk around on the floor. If you see cracks or gaps or you feel soft spots under your feet, consider choosing another bus to buy, or expect to have some repairs to make after the purchase.
Heating and Cooling
If you're going to be transporting passengers during the summer or winter months, you want to make sure the heating and cooling systems work properly. One way to do that is to give both systems a test run. Turn the bus on and run both the heater and the air conditioner. You want to make sure that the entire van has access to an even distribution of air. If you identify problems, you may need to upgrade the systems before you transport passengers.
Access Systems
Finally, if you're going to be transporting passengers with mobility concerns, you'll need to inspect the access systems. First, identify whether the wheelchair ramps are side or back access. Next, make sure that the ramps are wide enough to accommodate all types of wheelchairs. Finally, test the ramps to make sure they operate smoothly.
If you're in the market for a new shuttle bus, the tips provided here will help you to choose the right one. To learn more, contact a resource that has shuttle buses for sale.
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