School bus

A school bus is a type of bus that takes students to their school. They may pick kids up in front of their house or at a dedicated bus stop. In many areas passing a stopped school bus is punishable by a traffic ticket.^[1]

An American school bus.

Characteristics

1996 Blue Bird school bus

Example of school buses in front of a school in 1915

In the United States, school buses are yellow while in other countries they may be different. The 3 lines or rub rails on the outside of a school bus in the United States have a purpose for safety in the event of an accident. The bottom line shows where the bus floor is. The middle line shows the bottom of the seat. The top line shows where the top of the seat is as well as the bottom of the window.^[2] School buses are also equipped with more than one emergency exit. These could be on the side of the bus, the top, or the back. Each of these is for if the bus rolls one of these sides during an accident. When opened they also will make a loud alarm sound.^[3]

Types

Type A

Ford E-Series school bus

A Type “A” school bus is a conversion or body constructed upon a van-type or cutaway front-section vehicle with a left side driver’s door, designed for carrying more than 10 persons. Sixteen designed seating capacity or less may be single rear wheeled; 17 designed seating capacity and larger shall have dual rear wheels. This definition shall include two classifications: Type A-1, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than 14,500 pounds; and Type A-2 with a GVWR greater than 14,500 pounds and less than 21,500 pounds.

Type B

A Type “B” school bus is constructed utilizing a body on a stripped chassis, with the entrance door behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: Type B-1, with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, designed for carrying more than 10 persons and Type B-2, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. The engine is beneath and/or behind the windshield and beside the driver’s seat. Both Type B-1 and Type B-2 must be equipped with dual rear tires.

Type C

IC CE school bus

A Type “C” school bus is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels. A “type C school bus” also includes a cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab, with or without a left side door, and with a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.

Type D

A Type “D” or “Transit Style” school bus is a body installed upon a stripped chassis, with the engine mounted in the front or rear, and has a GVWR of more than 21,500 pounds, designed for carrying more than 10 persons. The engine may be beside the driver’s seat or it may be at the rear of the bus, behind the rear wheels. The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels.

School bus types^[4][5][6]

Gallery

• 
  Blue Bird Mini Bird Type B school bus
• 
  Blue Bird TC3000 school bus
• 
  Ford Econoline school bus
• 
  Ford Transit school bus
• 
  Chevrolet Suburban acting as a school bus

References

1. Faith, Clara (August 10, 2023). "Back to school safety: Urging drivers to be caution near bus stop". WACH. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
2. "Why school buses are always yellow, and why they all have rub rails". WYTV. March 24, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
3. "49 CFR § 571.217 - Standard No. 217; Bus emergency exits and window retention and release". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
4. "National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures 2015 Edition" (PDF). pp. 342–343. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 30, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
5. "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards" (PDF). Retrieved January 3, 2018.
6. "School bus types". School Transportation News. October 15, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2018.^{[permanent dead link]}