Buses are already one of the safest vehicles for transport, but additional bus safety equipment further increases passenger well-being. Added safety measures are continually being considered. The most highly regulated school buses are held to higher safety standards than other busing options.

Some safety features come standard on all buses. Seat backs are purposely made tall for safety inside the bus. Lights and modified body styles are some of the bus garage equipment changes that help with safety while in transit. Mirrors and safety arms are measures taken to promote safety during passengers' approach and descent from the bus.

Additional features and safety equipment can be considered for aftermarket purchase or installation. Some of these options include:

1. School bus supplies and safety equipment

2. Handicap bus accessories

3. Environmentally conscious bus equipment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider school bus equipment and supplies types and styles for safety in transit

Safety is high priority when children step onto the bus. Many buses are now being adorned with video surveillance systems for children's safety during their ride. Camera coverage can include the bus interior, stop-arm violators and views of driver area and bus entrance. Some cameras can be mounted on the windshield to record activity in front of the bus. A GPS installed on the bus immediately alerts appropriate responders in the event of an emergency. Fire extinguishers and first aid kits are a few of the bus supplies to have on the bus just in case they are needed.

I recommend: Video-Surveillance-Guide.com explores benefits of video surveillance bus safety equipment. Find a variety of available types of camera systems at MediaBrains. Many retrofits recently are for the installation of GPS, as discussed by Government Technology.

Learn about handicapped transportation bus equipment

Improvements in handicapped busing equipment options not only keep passengers safe but also make loading and unloading easier for the passengers and the drivers. Technology is continually updated and enhanced to provide safe and effortless transportation. Some custom bus equipment is fabricated for such special needs.

I recommend: At Blue Bird Corporation, you will find a special needs section listing safety and handicapped equipment for school buses. From the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center, learn options for wheelchair safety equipment for use with bus transit. View product recommendations at Discount Ramps.

Look into transit bus equipment that makes buses safer for the environment

When safety steps can be taken to improve people's health or save lives, the benefit far outweighs any out-of-pocket expense. Many companies are now providing options for reduced emissions buses in order to improve the quality of bus transportation. The move to alter buses in order to reduce air pollutants has seen a reduction in asthma and chronic bronchitis. The hope is to lower emissions to the point where heart attacks and lung cancer also diminish.

I recommend: With recent drives to better the environment, you may want to explore DieselNet, who offers information on retrofitting buses as well as a list of approved equipment. Special engine filters from Trimet dramatically increase clean engine operation. Find out what is needed for a retrofit at E Global Solutions.

No matter what type of business you run, from public transit to tour bus services, if you own a bus you'll need to know about bus equipment and supplies. These supplies may include:

1. Bus body and engine parts
2. Bus windows
3. Bus seating, including special configurations and reupholstering
4. Handicap ramps and lifts for buses and coaches
5. GPS devices
6. Pre-recorded audio announcements
7. First aid and bus safety equipment
8. Transit bus equipment fare collection systems
9. Bus garage equipment for maintenance
10. Custom design elements – interior and exterior upgrades
11. Alternative fuel conversions

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a bus equipment manufacturer or supplies vendor listed in industry trade magazines

Bus equipment and supply company ads in trade magazines may be valuable starting points for those businesses seeking the right bus products to fit their needs.

I recommend: Mass Transit Magazine offers a Buyers Guide with an extensive list of bus supplies companies as well as bus industry links. National Bus Trader Classifieds include bus parts for sale, bus garage equipment and custom bus equipment. School Transportation News includes a list of resources that includes school bus equipment suppliers and vendors.

Find bus parts for sale at bus manufacturer websites

Specific manufacturers of school buses, shuttle buses and large transit buses as well as small and mid-sized buses offer bus parts for sale.

I recommend: The Motor Bus Society has a generous list of bus manufacturers and bus equipment and supplies vendors. New Flyer, a major Canadian manufacturer of transit buses, has a list of parts suppliers. American manufacturer North American Bus Industries (NABI) has its own long list of parts manufacturers. You can buy transit bus equipment, parts and brakes online at their Aftermarket Parts Division. A part of NABI, school bus manufacturer Blue Bird offers locations of school bus parts suppliers that may be near you. You can also buy small school bus parts online from manufacturer Collins Bus Corporation.

Visit websites of bus equipment and supplies manufacturers

Specific manufacturers make bus equipment and supplies that serve as important add-on and custom products.

I recommend: Freedman Seating Company makes a wide variety of bus seats including driver's seats, flip and fold seats, transit seats and even prison transport seats with shackle rings or plastic hand holds. Ricon makes wheelchair lifts and ramps for school buses, public transit buses and personal vehicles. They also manufacture impact-resistant and graffiti-proof transit bus windows. Digital Recorder, Inc. sells "intelligent vehicle systems" that include GPS, recorded announcement systems, passenger information systems and a hands-free driver microphone. J.J. Keller & Associates sells bus first aid and emergency equipment.

Visit websites of custom bus equipment specialists

Custom bus equipment specialists may best serve bus owners or facilities who want to add functions or upgrade their vehicles.

I recommend: Motor Bus Society has a list of links to conversion experts, some converting buses and coaches to motor homes, party buses, mobile television studios and more. RV-Coach.com also provides a list of vehicle conversion companies. Custom Coach, a Columbus, Ohio, company, specializes in "retrofitting" buses and coaches into a variety of luxury vehicles. Marathon Coach, Inc. specializes in converting commercial bus shells into luxury recreational vehicles and corporate coaches. See a photo gallery of luxury conversions from longtime vehicle conversion company, Liberty Coach. Transit Sales International is less a customizer than a provider of meat-and-potatoes vehicle upgrades from handicap lifts and ramps to seat reupholstering.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As with all classified ads for products and services, let the buyer beware when responding to ads in bus trade magazines. Any used bus supplies should always be thoroughly checked, preferably in person, before purchase.

From safety equipment to body and engine parts to communications and rider comfort features, keeping up with manufacturer and industry trends and regulations will ensure you keep your buses running smoothly, efficiently and legally. Familiarize yourself with terms and features such as “Automatic Vehicle Location,” “side rub rails” and “activity seat” to keep buses equipped with the proper parts and accessories. This will ensure that you comply with motor vehicle regulations and enable you to guarantee proper vehicle maintenance and upkeep.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Automatic Vehicle Location

Track the buses in your fleet for added security with an Automatic Vehicle Location system. Designed to monitor location with a series of digital maps, the system can also produce reports to monitor on-time performance, arrivals and departures.

I recommend: Discover more about the Automatic Vehicle Location system through the diagrams and descriptions at Digital Recorders.

Warning triangles

Keep Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation compliant warning triangles on buses for use in the event of breakdowns or accidents. Look for models featuring weighted bases for added stability.

I recommend: See photos and get additional details on warning triangles through J.J. Keller. The company also stocks other bus safety equipment like reflective tape, spill kits, first aid kits and wheel chocks.

Wheelchair lift

Accommodate all passengers by adding wheelchair lifts to your fleet. Ensure the lifts you install are compliant with any federal and Department of Transportation regulations regarding the equipment.

I recommend: Ricon offers a variety of wheelchair lifts for commercial, public transit and school buses, including models that lift and slide out for ease of use.

Digital cameras

Keep passengers and drivers safe by installing digital cameras on buses. Cameras also feature microphones for audio input, if desired.

I recommend: Learn more about the benefits of having digital cameras and video surveillance on board buses through the product descriptions and articles at Honeywell Video.

Side rub rails

Consider equipping your buses with full-length side rub rails as added protection in minor accidents or driving mishaps. Ensure you choose corrosion-resistant material for the rails to minimize the need for replacement.

I recommend: Blue Bird provides photos and discusses the function and benefits of having side rub rails on school buses.

Activity seat

If buses often transport adults and teenagers as well as younger children, equip them with activity seat models that provide additional comfort features like side bolsters and lumbar support. Ensure the seats meet federal regulations regarding seatbelt safety.

I recommend: Learn more about activity seat models for school buses through the photos and product descriptions at Freedman Seating.