Guide to Bus and Charter Vehicle Dealerships

While there are many bus dealers around the country, they are not as common as standard automotive dealerships. The largest bus dealerships maintain websites with information about purchasing, available models and financing. These dealers can sell any sort of charter vehicles, including buses, minibuses, school buses, double-deckers, trolleys, and vans. With so many options available from a charter bus dealer, you must shop around. Online charter bus dealerships offer many advantages such as customization, delivery of vehicles and financing.

It's additionally important to make sure that the bus and charter vehicle dealerships provide you with the right sort of information.  A good bus dealer can advise what regulations are required to run your bus.

Keep the following points in mind when looking for a bus dealership:

1. Research the specific buses you want ahead of time. Many charter bus dealerships sell only certain buses.

2. Consider both new and used buses — some used bus dealers will refurbish and customize buses to meet your company’s needs.

3. Shop both bus dealerships and bus manufacturers to get the best prices.

4. Make sure you know the government regulations concerning your buses before you invest.

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

Compare vehicles by using the websites of large bus and charter vehicle dealerships

With an interest in selling their products nationally as well as locally, most larger bus dealerships advertise their stock online and offer shipping to any location.

I recommend: Bus Group offers both new and used buses for sale. They also provide specific information on purchasing buses for churches, child-care uses and assisted-living facilities.

Consider purchasing directly from bus manufacturers

Many of the largest manufacturers of charter vehicles make their products available for direct purchase. You can often get better pricing this way, cutting out the middle-man.

I recommend: Daimler and Champion are two of the largest manufacturers of charter vehicles. Both companies offer direct sales.

Lease charter buses if you are not prepared to buy them

Most larger dealerships have leasing options and information.

I recommend: Bus Group and Nations Bus offer financing for leasing buses and purchasing loans.

Decide if used buses and charter vehicles can meet your needs as well as new vehicles

The cost of new buses and other charter vehicles make it difficult for many businesses to afford such a large investment. Some of the costs can, however, be reduced by purchasing used and refurbished vehicles. Keep in mind that many companies offer either no warranty or only limited warranties on such purchases.

I recommend: CR Buses is a charter bus dealer that specializes in refurbishing used buses to meet the customer’s specific needs. They also offer a three month warranty on all sales.

Educate yourself about regulations before making a purchase from a charter bus dealer.

The government has detailed regulations about purchasing and operating charter buses, and it is the responsibility of the purchaser to know these regulations

I recommend: The Federal Highway Administration's Office of Motor Carriers lists information about regulations, licensing and safety on their website.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Shop several bus dealerships before you make a charter vehicle purchase and evaluate all your options before committing to such a major expense.

The official source of Bus and Charter Vehicle Dealerships is
the Bus and Charter Vehicle Dealerships page at Business.com