Favorite type/brand of Bus?

[Scienceman]

Hey Guys!
What is your favorite type of school bus, or any type bus?
I guess what I mean is your fav accouording to looks..and old tv/or book ads?
I realize there are not many bus drivers here but Im just wondering!

 

[Chris142]

Go Crown or go home.

 

[ChiTDI]

VW Safari where the windows opened with a hinge at the top.

 

[huffmuds9320]

GMC New Look, they are also referred to as Fishbowls. I remember only riding these a few times since the transit agency retired those way back.

 

[JHZR2]

I HATE school busses, though I grew up in a walking district and moved to one because my kids will walk to school.

That said, the dual rear axle crown busses out in LA are the most interesting...

 

[spasm3]

I drove a bus , when students were allowed to drive. i liked the international best. The fords took a football field to turn around in. A few chevy automatics were coming out but they were so loud from the drivers seat. I was driving them in the early 80's.

 

[simple_gifts]

I posted this before, but I ride a IH school bus everyday. They are built for kids and 40+ full sized adults makes for a very third world experience.

I ride in the last seat (1 person seat); if the bus catches on fire, I'll be the first one out the back....

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
I drove a bus , when students were allowed to drive. i liked the international best. The fords took a football field to turn around in. A few chevy automatics were coming out but they were so loud from the drivers seat. I was driving them in the early 80's.


Our district had a mid to late 1980s ford and chevy bus up through the late 1990s that we used to go to sporting events.

I remember how loud and whiny the transmissions (AT) were. Once in a while I see vehicles with those same truck chassis, and the sound brings me right back to my school days.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Our district had a mid to late 1980s ford and chevy bus up through the late 1990s that we used to go to sporting events.

I remember how loud and whiny the transmissions (AT) were. Once in a while I see vehicles with those same truck chassis, and the sound brings me right back to my school days.


Glad to hear someone else knows that sound!!! i drove a few, but my fav was the internation 5 speeds.

 

[Nick R]

My last school district had Freightliner, International, and some new Blue Bird.

In order, Blue bird.... International.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Freightliners


They FLers were absolutely horrible. Loud, bad ride, when they shifted into top gear, there would be this noise.. It was an extremely loud roar that would get so loud going up hills that tit sounded like the engine was going to blow, and the bus was going to fall apart. The interior felt cramped and dark.. Just all around terrible. The blue birds were by far the best, with I believe the Cummins I-6 turbo diesel.

 

[97f150]

Gillig has always been my favorite style.

 

[TooManyWheels]

I like the old Flexibles.

 

[XS650]

Sultana's with the dual front axles. They used to be common in Mexico in the 1970s. I haven't noticed any on my last few trips to Mexico.

Looks like the direct link got used up.

Cut and paste this for an 8x2 bus
Code:


http://todoxautobus.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/nteosultana2.jpg

 

[JHZR2]

Just saw a pic of that dual front sultana... Neat. Wonder why they had two front axles. Any idea?

 

[cbear]

Classic London double decker, on looks.

 

[CDX825]

I always liked the Internationals or any bus that was built on an International chassis.

I asked my buddy who works at one of the local bus garages witch brand he liked the best and he even said International. Said they were allot more mechanic friendly compared to the others.

Makes me miss the days of riding the bus! The sound and smell of the engine and the transmission whine was music to my ears! I liked being able to sit up front and watch all the gauges and controls.

 

[JTK]

Those Crown's are cool! I have never seen one in the N.East. I wonder if it's a regional thing? School buses were always GM/Ford/Dodge gasoline fueled units in my area (in the 70's and 80's at least). Diesels started to crop-up in the mid-late 80's.

Joel

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Those Crown's are cool! I have never seen one in the N.East. I wonder if it's a regional thing? School buses were always GM/Ford/Dodge gasoline fueled units in my area (in the 70's and 80's at least). Diesels started to crop-up in the mid-late 80's.

Joel


Crowns were built in California and used to be common here.

 

[Scienceman]

I like the ward senatar's and the Genesis buses from AmTran.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Just saw a pic of that dual front sultana... Neat. Wonder why they had two front axles. Any idea?


The looked a bit bigger than the other buses. Maybe an axle or tire load limit?

I Googled and some newer dual front axle buses are still used in South America. They are full double deckers though and may have weight issues, particularly on some of the roads they run on.

Here's a video of a man and wife taking a trip in Peru on an 8x2 bus. Note the first class cabin they are in. 2 seats on one side and one on the other with lots of legroom, movies and a cabin attendant. About as roomy as business class on a jet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhuGM1NZu78&feature=related