Where to find transit buses for sale?

[ilyafish]

Judging from the advice you guys have given me, i want to look for a transit bus for my friend, but not sure where exactly to start

[belfert]

Transit buses are sold all over at auctions.  Any reasonably large metro area will have a large transit operation.  Call them and ask what happens to their old buses.  Transit buses generally aren't more a dozen years old at most except in cities that refurbish their fleet instead of buying new.

Personally, I would not buy any bus from the rust belt as it seems most newer transits use steel for the exterior and probably the frame too.

[Gary '79 5C]

If you wish to see about 80+ buses you might try ABC Bus in Camden NJ. Their inventory is on the web, but to look in person you will have quite a variety on one lot.
Unless I am miss reading you transit in meaning RTS ?
If you stop during the week, I'll join you for lunch, as I work about 1/4 mile from ABC.

Take care and good luck,

Gary

[RTS/Daytona]

see-->

http://www.tmauction.com/search.asp?inventorytype=T&startyear=&endyear=&make=&startmileage=&endmileage=&class=16&SellerType=&searchsubmit=true

http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/browse/cataucs?catid=411

http://www.nationwideauction.com/ENU/Search/keyword.asp?Key=bus

http://www.govdeals.com/eas/index.cfm?CFID=660566&CFTOKEN=35541219

[WEC4104]

If your friend has interests in a transit type bus, would they also consider something like AVIS and Hertz use for their larger airport shuttle buses?  I would be careful to check that it has proper gearing for highways, but these might be worthwhile sources, too.

[mikelutestanski]

Hello:     Most depreciation rules require 15 years to depreciate the items. SO you will find most transit buses are 15 years old.   If you inquire to your local bus company and find out how old the fleet is you can pretty well determine when they will get rid of a particular  bus or group of buses .  Now the rule is not 100% because if no public money is available then the buses may be in service for a longer period of time.
    Another way is to check with local auction houses .

     A problem with this approach is you get what you get and sometimes the mechanics will just not service the buses if they know the service life is almost over or if a particular bus has been a problem.  Sometimes the service department mechanics are truthful and other times they are not  so do not always believe what you hear..  make sure you hear the bus run before bidding.
    I have had mixed results with these purchases .  One bus had a bad engine that lasted 50 miles . Another bus bought through a junkyard after he purchased it from the bus company auction turned out ok.
    So do your homework and remember buyer beware...
     Regards and happy bussin  mike

[HighTechRedneck]

If your are interested in RTS transit buses, also monitor Songman's RTS site and the RTS Yahoo group.  RTS's for sale often get announced or pointed to on those venues

http://rts-bus.com/phpbb/index.php

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/RTS-bus-nuts/

[Songman]

I got mine off Craigslist. And eBay is sometimes a good source as well. This came up on rts-bus.com a couple of days ago too. There is what appears to be a great starter deal on an RTS on eBay right now. I don't know the history of the bus but some of the conversion stuff has already been done. I don't know this person or the bus. I just found the ad.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270313398483&viewitem=

[ilyafish]

What is the average price i should be looking at for an up and running RTS bus?  Also, how long do their engines and transmissions last for on average?

[Bob Gil]

I am not sure but there is a company here in Ft. Worth that auctions online for several cities suplus.  http://www.lonestaronline.com/index.cfm  I see they have some busses on there now.

Last week the city of Ft. Worth ISD had about 20 blue bird type school busses that sold for $1200.00 -$2000.00 range.


Bob

[blue_goose]

I was told that in 2009 NY City will be selling some MCI that are aged out with series 60 and B500 trans.  They normally sell these in lots of 5 or more.  ABC buys lots of there buses.  This would be good to witch for because they do have good service on there buses.
Jack

[TomCat]

Here are some Transits to choose from...

http://www.transitsales.com/inventory.html

HTH

Jay
87 SaftLiner

[RJ]

Judging from the advice you guys have given me, i want to look for a transit bus for my friend, but not sure where exactly to start.

One of the things left out of this particular bus search thread is an answer to this simple question:

"What does your friend want to DO with a bus?"


That might help us further guide you and your friend in the right direction!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Charles Seaton]

New York MTA is currently selling MCI Classics suburban-style buses.