Frequently Asked Questions
Q- What are some of the differences between vans and buses?
A- Below is our comparison table:
| Bus | Van |
| Capacity | 10-30 | 15 |
| Designed to transport children | Yes | No |
| School bus rollover protection | Yes | No |
| Padded school bus seats | Yes | No |
| Fuel tank integrity | Yes | No |
| Aisle down center | Yes | No |
| Rear emergency door | Yes | No |
| School bus entrance door | Yes | No |
| Joint strength construction | Yes | No |
| School bus windows | Yes | No |
| Front crossover mirrors | Yes | No |
| Steel cage construction | Yes | No |
| Side crash rails | Yes | No |
| Rear heat | 50,000 BTU | 15,000 BTU |
| Rear A/C (optional) | 40,000 BTU | 15,000 BTU |
Q- What are the requirements for a CDL (Commercial Drivers License)?
A- In most states, if the vehicle seats 15 or fewer people (including the driver) and weighs less than
16,000 lbs., the driver is not required to have a special CDL license.
Q- What can I do with the vans or buses my church is currently using?
A- We accept trade-ins. For liability reasons we do not accept van trades. We do however welcome
bus trades towards the purchase of a new vehicle.
Q- Are 15 passenger vans really that unsafe?
A- Here are some facts that will help you decide for yourself:
-The National Transportation Safety Board has taken a strong stance against the use of these
vehicles.
-It is actually "illegal" for a dealership to sell a new 15 passenger van to any school (public or
private) or church for the purpose of transporting students.
-Hundreds of people have died in the past 10 years in van roll-over accidents.
-There is no structural support in the roof of a van. In the event of a roll-over accident, these
vehicles will "cave in," crushing the passengers.
-Many insurance companies will no longer insure these vans.
Q- How are your buses safer than 15 passenger vans?
A-
-Each vehicle has dual rear wheels for stability on the road.
-Steel cage construction (offered on all of our buses) means that there are steel supports in each
of the side walls and ceilings. Passengers are actually sitting in a steel roll cage.
-Rigorous testing is completed for each model of bus we represent that demonstrates the bus
meets or exceeds a long list of federal and state safety standards.
Q- What type of warranty is offered on your buses?
A-
http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/eseries/2009/warranty/
http://www.gmfleet.com/sitemap/warrantyinfo.jsp
Q- What if you don't have the type of bus I need in your inventory?
A- Simply let one of our sales representatives know what you are looking for. NBS has access and
contacts across the U.S and chances are we will be able to locate exactly what you're looking
for.