How Much Per Mile to Maintain a Bus

[belfert]

68 cents a mile seems cheap to me when fuel is included.  Fuel alone is at least 35 cents a mile these days and was up over 50 cents a mile in 2008.  My maintenance costs alone (excluding tires) are at least $1 a mile, but I'm only at like 4,000 miles a year since I bought the bus.  I have probably another 50,000 miles before another round of major expenses.

I wonder why they replace Series 60 engines at 450,000 miles?  They shouldn't need more than an inframe, if that, at that mileage.  My friend had a model year 2000 semi tractor with a Series 60.  He sold it in 2009 with 1.1 million miles.  He is not aware of the engine ever being opened.

[buswarrior]

I have always found it amusing comparing what bus folks and truck folks have to say about operating expenses.

Bottom line:

The money comes too easy to bus companies, but the bills are a kick in the pants.

Compare the capital outlay, compare the cost of an alternator, compare what might be acceptable idle times, compare the daily/weekly/annual mileage for the unit.

Good thread, busnuts need to think in some sort of terms as to a budget forecast for preventive maintenance, not just acquisition and additions.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Melbo]

Several questions enter my mind here (yes I know there is LOTS of room in there) are we talking about "bus" maintenance or "motorhome" maintenance --- the conveyance would have a completely different set of costs than the living quarters of the bus --- genset operation and upkeep is not necessary to get you down the road unless you use it for AC and want to be comfortable (now is that REALLY necessary?) I have not personally broken out the cost of "the bus" from "the house" they really (to me) are all inclusive because I don't want to drive the bus somewhere and not be able to stay in it. If I need to rent a hotel room then I will drive the car or the truck or take a plane or train or commercial bus --- you get the point. So I am not sure that we as bus converters separate the cost of the bus going down the road from the cost of owning and operating the bus as a place to live. I have spent the money for the bus to be ready to live in at any time. I pay the insurance if it is parked or driven. I have to do the repairs to keep it ready to go even if it doesn't go very often. I have to change the oil once a year even if the bus has been parked the entire time. My cost to operate the bus is the cost of fuel. I try to avoid things happening on the road but if they do I consider that an upgrade in the condition of my bus.  Hard to plan for or make the other expenses part of the trip --- Fuel is my only REAL expense because I use my bus a very limited amount.  Do the other things cost money --- yes but they are not OPERATING expenses -- When I acquired my bus it was because it could not be PROFITABLY operated by a commercial company. The expenses I encounter are what made my bus CHEAP when I bought it.

This may be a different perspective but that is why we are here.

HTH

YMMV

Melbo

[JohnEd]

Sean,

Is this still good?  Didn't work for me.

http://www.busconversions.com/files/Per-Mile-Operating-Cost.xls

Thanks,

John

[Sean]

You're right, John, looks like it's dead.  Maybe they lost it in the board upgrade.

How 'bout it, moderators?  Can we get that link working again?

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Dreamscape]

Mike fixed the Link!

http://www.busconversions.com/files/Per-Mile-Operating-Cost.xls

[Sean]

Mike fixed the Link!

http://www.busconversions.com/files/Per-Mile-Operating-Cost.xls

Thanks, Mike (and Paul).

Also, should mention that notes and instructions on using the spreadsheet are in this post:
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=14655.msg156311#msg156311

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[BG6]

OK, OK, I can't help myself.

I wish I could run any vehicle on the road for less than 3/4¢ per mile.

Ever see that Disney short from WWII about using pogo sticks for transportation . . ?

[usbusin]

Sean, thanks for the spreadsheet! 

In "massaging" the numbers to fit my situation I come up with $0.5005 per mile with diesel a $3.20/gallon.

Thanks again.