The Evolution Of Type C Bus Lengths

The Type C school bus, also known as a conventional bus, is often thought of as the “original” school bus. It is a body installed upon a flat-back cowl chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds and is designed to carry more than 10 people. All of the engine is in front of the windshield, and the entrance door is behind the front wheels. Type C school buses meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and have become synonymous with modern pupil transportation.

Type C buses are built with safety in mind

The C2 also comes with a range of additional safety features, including Saf-T-Net construction, side skirt reinforcement, double-bolted body mounting clips, a fuel tank mounted between frame rails, a one-piece bonded windshield, Saf-T-Bond adhesive joints, and 33.3" high windows. The bus meets or exceeds FMVSS/CMVSS standards, ensuring maximum passenger safety.

The IC Bus® CE Series Bus is another Type C bus that prioritises safety. It includes the latest safety technology, such as standard electronic stability control and the Bendix® Wingman® Advanced™ Safety Package, which includes active braking capabilities for collision avoidance, following distance alerts, and adaptive cruise control. The CE Series also has several features to improve the driver's situational awareness, such as enhanced lighting, improved defrost performance, and advanced camera systems.

Type C buses are also known for their durability and reliability. The Saf-T-Liner® C2, for instance, is designed to deliver superior durability and reliability, with features like a tapered leaf suspension, a low-profile aerodynamic hood, and a severe-duty wiring harness. The CE Series Bus is built with carefully chosen materials, advanced steel coatings, and a robust construction to ensure longevity and structural integrity.

Overall, Type C buses are designed with safety as a top priority, incorporating advanced technologies, durable construction, and enhanced visibility to ensure the safety of students and drivers alike.

They have a gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,000 pounds

Type C school buses, often called "conventional" buses, have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds. This means they are designed to safely carry a significant amount of weight, including passengers, cargo, and the weight of the bus itself. The GVWR is an important consideration for any vehicle operator, as overloading a vehicle can have severe consequences, such as broken springs and suspension, brake failure, transmission damage, and tyre blowouts.

The GVWR of a vehicle is typically found on a label inside the driver's door jamb or on the door latch post pillar. It is crucial for operators to be aware of this number to ensure they do not exceed the maximum allowable weight. To determine the maximum cargo capacity, it is recommended to weigh the vehicle with passengers and cargo on a commercial vehicle scale and subtract that weight from the GVWR.

The Type C bus falls into the category of vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, which also includes Type B and Type D school buses. These buses are designed to carry more than 10 persons and have specific features that differentiate them from other types of buses. For example, the Type C bus has all of its engines in front of the windshield, and the entrance door is located behind the front wheels.

The GVWR is an essential factor in ensuring the safety of passengers and cargo. By understanding the weight limitations of a vehicle, operators can make informed decisions about loading and ensure the vehicle is not overloaded. This is particularly important for school buses, which often carry a large number of passengers and require a high level of safety.

They are designed to carry more than 10 people

Type C school buses are what most people imagine when they think of a traditional or conventional school bus. They are designed to carry more than 10 people and have a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. The body of the bus is installed upon a flat-back cowl chassis, with all of the engine in front of the windshield. The entrance door is located behind the front wheels.

Type C school buses meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and have become synonymous with modern pupil transportation, especially in the U.S. public education system. They are often equipped with wheelchair lifts to accommodate students with disabilities.

The IC Bus CE Series Type C School Bus, for example, prioritises safety, durability, and driver comfort. It includes features such as standard electronic stability control, a No Student Left Behind child monitoring system, and improved visibility through a sloped hood design and LED-enhanced, down-lit crossview mirrors.

Another example is the Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus, which is known for its safety, efficiency, and outstanding manoeuvrability. It offers superior durability, reliability, and safety features, such as BusWise Technologies, a full suite of safety, efficiency, and serviceability enhancements. The C2 also stands out from other Type C buses due to its improved visibility and safety, with a panoramic windshield and a larger visibility footprint.

Type C buses are also known as conventional or traditional school buses

Type C buses, also known as conventional or traditional school buses, are easily recognisable. They are designed to carry more than 10 people and have a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. The engine is located entirely in front of the windshield, and the entrance door is behind the front wheels. Type C buses are manufactured to federal motor vehicle safety standards and are the archetypal school bus, often depicted in films and TV shows. They are so synonymous with the US public education system that they have become an iconic symbol, much like the little red schoolhouse and the apple on the teacher's desk.

The Type C bus is constructed by installing a body upon a flat-back cowl chassis. This design is what most people imagine when they think of a traditional school bus. While they weren't the very first school buses, they have become the standard for modern pupil transportation. Type C buses are also increasingly equipped with wheelchair lifts to accommodate students with disabilities.

The dimensions of a Type C bus can vary, with lengths ranging from 158 inches to 279 inches. The IC Bus CE Series, for example, can carry up to 83 passengers. The Thomas Built Bus Saf-T-Liner C2 is another popular Type C bus known for its safety and efficiency. It offers superior manoeuvrability, excellent driver ergonomics, and best-in-class visibility. The C2 also introduced BusWise® Technologies, a comprehensive suite of safety, efficiency, and serviceability features.

The length of a Type C bus can vary depending on the manufacturer and model, but they typically fall within a certain range. The focus on safety and comfort for the driver and passengers is evident in their design, with features such as improved visibility, enhanced corrosion resistance, and intuitive control settings. These buses are built to last, with careful consideration given to the durability of materials and advanced steel coatings to prevent corrosion.

They are equipped with wheelchair lifts to accommodate students with disabilities

The Type C school bus is what many people imagine when they think of a "traditional" or "conventional" school bus. It has a body installed upon a flat-back cowl chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds and is designed to carry more than 10 people. All of the engine is in front of the windshield, and the entrance door is behind the front wheels.

Type C school buses can be equipped with wheelchair lifts to accommodate students with disabilities. These lifts are powerful enough to lift one student at a time, along with their wheelchair or scooter, into the bus cabin. The lifts are operated with the press of a button and can be used by any student who has difficulty climbing the steps and getting into the bus. Most wheelchair buses can accommodate up to five wheelchairs, with some flexibility depending on the number of fixed seats in the cabin. Buses with flip seats that can be folded and tucked by the sidewalls allow for more wheelchairs when needed.

In the United States, buses used for student transportation must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). This includes requirements for wheelchair lifts to have a minimum design load of 600 pounds and a platform that accommodates a wheelchair measuring 30 inches by 48 inches. Transportation operators must carry a wheelchair and occupant if the lift and vehicle can physically accommodate them. Additionally, buses over 22 feet in length must have enough securement locations and devices to secure at least two wheelchairs, while shorter vehicles must be able to secure at least one.

National Bus Sales, an authorized dealer for Braun and Ricon wheelchair lifts, offers installations of wheelchair lifts, track seating, and wheelchair stations for Type C school buses. They also provide repair services for wheelchair lifts in their 27,000-square-foot service center.

Frequently asked questions