2008 Used Bus Showcase Archives
December 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"The Nascar Bus"
Ron Vilt had big plans for the used bus he purchased in late January 2008: “I have seen a lot of buses at the Nascar tracks over the years and thought it would be nice to try it myself.” He found Midwest Transit Equipment while searching the Internet. Through Midwest Transit, he found a great bus for a great price. Looking back on the day he brought home the bus, he recalls, “Once I got it home, most of my neighbors thought I was nuts, including my wife.” Renovations began soon after.
First things first, he had a professional look over the drive train and body, which were given the thumbs up. Next, he removed all the seats and installed a new sub floor in black and white tiles, so it would resemble a checkered flag. Next came the plumbing, complete with the installation of a fresh water tank and shower, toilet, sink, and water heater. Then, he added beds, carpeting, and a 12x24 deck on the roof. (Handrails pull up from the sides for safety.) In addition to safety, comfort was also an important factor: “I added a/c to the back by taking out a window,” says Vilt. Future plans include the addition of a propane system with a refrigerator.
Last but not least, Ron Vilt added the numbers of his favorite drivers and the phrase, “Let’s Roll,” which garnered popularity after 9/11.
Vilt has already been enjoying the use of this new Nascar bus: “[In July], I had 35 people on the platform to watch the race. It was a hit! Everyone loved it!” Vilt is currently keeping his prized possession in storage until next year. He adds, “Everyone who thought I was nuts changed their minds and like what I did to it. Thanks, Midwest!”
Midwest Transit and Used-Bus.com are proud to have worked with Ron Vilt on finding a great deal on a bus for his project.
November 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"The Blue Scoot Crew's Colts Bus"
In June 2008, Randy and Ridona Carson purchased a used bus from used-bus.com and transformed it into a prized possession: a Colts tailgating bus. Taking note of another fan’s “generic” bus, the Carsons decided to create one all their own. They built it because they were “tired of no bathroom, being cold, and just to have fun.” They also say they were fortunate, because they just happened to have the money at the right time to take on this project.
The Carsons went to great lengths to have this bus meet their needs and then some. After two months of working nonstop (days, nights and weekends), and foregoing many of their usual activities, their bus was completed. They explain: We gutted the bus, [added] a bathroom plus urinal, two sinks, counter top, futon, tables, seats and green carpet.” The inside is decorated with Colts memorabilia and even a flat screen t.v.! The outside of the bus is equally as stunning with its blue and white paint and tinted windows.
So what does one do with a bus such as this? “The bus is being used for tailgating for the Indianapolis Colts games and small road trips to a game or two,” says the couple. “Everybody loves the bus! They are amazed at what we have done to it. We have even had many [requests] for wedding trips or just to ride around in it.”
A note from the Carsons:
We want to thank all our friends and family who have contributed to putting this bus together. We couldn’t have done it without your help. Just because our name is on it, doesn’t mean it only belongs to us; this bus is also part yours. Go Colts!
Midwest Transit and Used-Bus.com are privileged to have had the opportunity of providing the Carsons with the vehicle they needed to turn their dream into a reality.
October 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"Crash Test 2: The Army Bus"
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, some Midwest Transit Equipment employees took to the field for the Crash Fest 2 bus derby at the Illiana Speedway in Schererville, IN. The team spent months gearing up for this day.
Midwest Transit employees Dave Barnes, Butch Vyhnanek and Wade Rejholec, collaborated to design and prepare the 1992 GMC/Thomas bus with a modified 366 motor for the big race. Bringing back a past favorite, the team was pumped and ready to blow the competition out of the water. Rejholec, the chosen driver for the WWII army tank, said of their design: “We have done many themes for the bus in years past. Going with the WWII era tank came from us being tired from getting pushed around out on the track, because we are always one of the strongest vehicles out there.So it was more of an intimidation factor than anything.”
The “intimidation factor” must’ve worked: though they started 12th (last), the Army Bus team went home with a trophy for 3rd place.
And what happened to the bus you ask? “The bus was in great shape (or at least not completely wrecked),” said Rejholec. “But we can use it for next year as well.” Congratulations on your victory!
September 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"Kankakee County Fair's Extreme School Bus Figure 8"
Update
On Wednesday, July 30th, 10 buses fought to the finish to be the winner of the "Extreme School Bus Figure 8" hosted by the Kankakee County Fair in Kankakee, IL. Each of the buses was painted by a school, group or business. The participants included: Grant Park High School, Central Comet Volleyball Team, The Beecher Bobcats, Boy Scouts Troop 361, River Valley FFA Chapter, Central FFA Chapter, St. Anne High School, Kankakee County Fair, Vernon and Maz Printing and International Demolition Derby.
Each group had a driver. The drivers (and bus driven) included:
Ron Kuta (Grant Park HS), Matt Witvoet (Central Comet VB Team), Keith Blower (Beecher), Chris Allgower (Boy Scouts), Paul Juarez (River Valley FFA Chapter), Chris Ohrt (Central FFA Chapter), Jimmy Witvoet (St. Anne HS), Norm Kleinert (K3 County Fair), Jason Maupin (Vernon and Maz Printing) and Darrin Heckel (International Demolition Derby).
There were two award categories: Best Painted/Decorated Bus and Extreme School Bus Figure 8 Winner.
The winners were as follows:
Best Painted/Decorated Bus
1st Place - St. Anne High School
2nd Place - Beecher Bobcats
3rd Place - Boy Scouts Troop 361
Extreme School Bus Figure 8 Winners
1st Place - Keith Blower, LaPorte, IN
2nd Place - Ron Kuta, LaPorte, IN
3rd Place - Darrin Heckel, Lockport, IN
4th Place - Chris Allgower
5th Place - Matt Witvoet, Herscher, IL
Midwest Transit Equipment and Used-Bus.com are proud to have had the opportunity on many occasions to work with the Kankakee County Fair in providing the vehicles needed to involve and entertain their community.
A special thank you to Tammy Focken of the Kankakee County Fair for providing photos and event details.
August 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"Kankakee County Fair's Extreme School Bus Figure 8"
On Wednesday, July 30th at 7p, the Kankakee County Fair hosted an "Extreme School Bus Figure 8" as its headlining event for opening night at the 44th annual Kankakee County Fair. Manager Tammy Focken says, "This is the second year for the Kankakee County Fair to include buses in our grandstand event line-up. In 2007, we received 4 buses, and we raced them around a 3/8-mile, high-banked, oval race track." This year, the Fair ordered 10 school buses from Midwest Transit Equipment to be used in the event, and rallied the community together to create a masterpiece, or masterpieces, if you will. Once the buses had been delivered, "the Kankakee Fair invited area schools to participate [...] by offering the buses to their athletic departments to paint their school colors/mascots/themes on them."
Prior to the event, the buses were paraded in front of the grandstand. Then, by applause, the audience selected the top three favorites. It was these three buses that were driven by professional demo drivers during the main event. At the end of the event, little was left of the buses. Thus, a consignment company was contacted to haul away the buses for scrap.
Midwest Transit Equipment and Used-Bus.com are proud to have had the opportunity on many occasions to work with the Kankakee County Fair in providing the vehicles needed to involve and entertain their community.
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July 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"Barrier Island Eco Tours' Monster Bus"
Barrier Island Eco-Tours of Carolla, NC have developed a fun, new way to transport their customers: a four-wheel drive, off-road monster bus. Bill Clayton, owner of the monster bus, describes how he came up with the idea: "The idea for my monster tour bus came about as I was watching a program on National Geographic. They were doing tours in big buses in Alaska. So, I applied the same concept here in Carova Beach."
Believe it or not, this monster bus was once an old, yellow school bus. It has since been completely overhauled and turned into a one-of-a-kind off-road vehicle. Barrier Island Eco-Tours is doing their part to help the environment: "By using mass transportation, we are trying to reduce the impact on the environment, while still allowing people to enjoy their stay at the beautiful Outer Banks," explains Clayton.
The monster bus serves many purposes, but it's main purpose is for tours: "We show people all around Carova Beach. This allows them to see the many varieties of wildlife, such as the decendants of the wild Spanish mustangs, and many species of shore birds." While not sent out on tours, the monster bus is also used to shuttle visitors around Carova and neighboring cities. Clayton says, "The general public is absolutely in awe of our bus." And all of us at Midwest Transit agree: it's not hard to see why.
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April 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"Iroquois Valley Youth for Christ"
In the summer of 2003, Iroquois Valley Youth for Christ sought Used-Bus.com for a solution to their unique transportation needs. Their purchased bus is being put to (very) good use in the Illinois counties of Iroquois, Kankakee and Will, and in the Indiana counties of Newton, LaPorte and Porter.
When asked how the bus was used in their daily operations, the Iroquois Valley Youth for Christ office proudly sent a long list displaying their new bus's many purposes:
- transporting students for weekly Club 45 meetings
- day trips to mall, bowling, paintballing, rollerskating, ice skating
- overnight trips to Kalahari, WI, skiing in Michigan, youth conferences in Indiana and Illinois
- used for work days during Prairie States camp, junior high week
- churches have borrowed it for youth retreats, taking an adult group to concerts, taking a house tour around town
- picking up kids for church on Sunday morning
- transporting flood victims staying at shelters to and from showers
Midwest Transit Equipment and Used-Bus.com are proud to have had the opportunity to work with the Iroquois Valley Youth for Christ in providing the vehicle they needed to fulfill their ultimate goal of reaching out to the community.
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March 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"Streamline's Tourist Bus"
Once again, Streamline, a company located in the Netherlands, has purchased used buses from Used-Bus.com and has created a masterpiece. This time, the goal at hand was to create tourist buses for Amsterdam. While keeping with the standard red color recognized by locals as signifying a tourist bus, some changes to the original concept had to be made.
Renate de Jonge, a Streamline employee, explains the reasoning behind the change from the well-known double decker design: "Due to the cables of the tramcars in Amsterdam, double deckers are too high. That’s why Streamline was approached to rebuild three American school buses as real tourist buses, complete with a glass ceiling, (which can be opened when the weather allows), a guide system based on GPS in fifteen languages and [painted] in the unmistakable bright red colour, which makes tourist buses recognizable as they are."
Midwest Transit Equipment and Used-Bus.com are proud to have had the opportunity on many occasions to work with Streamline in providing the vehicles needed to succeed in their design goals.
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February 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"Transportes Esperanza"
Since 1996, Carlos Amaya, owner of Transportes Esperanza in Escuintla, Guatemala, has purchased several used buses from Used-Bus.com. Founded in 1972, Transportes Esperanza uses its 15-unit fleet to provide public transportation, government transportation and charter services for both athletic teams and long field trips.
Amaya explains the process of obtaining a bus from Used-Bus.com internationally: “The journey starts in Kankakee, Ill., driving close to 4,000 miles through the US and Mexico. As soon as the school bus arrives in Guatemala, it gets a complete makeover starting with some major mechanical components.” One change includes replacing the automatic transmission to a 6-speed manual transmission with 2 split rear axles. “If the school bus is equipped with hydraulic brakes, this also gets converted into air brakes,” continues Amaya. Other additions include the installation of activity seats, overhead parcel racks, roof-mounted luggage racks, carpet flooring and a combination of 3-color exterior paint job with custom vinyl graphics.
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January 2008
Used Bus Showcase
"South Knox Schools Activity Bus"
In 2007, the South Knox School Corporation in Indiana purchased a used 2004 IC Corp. RE200 bus from Used-Bus.com. Seeking a comfortable bus with lots of options in order to be used both for athletic teams and long field trips, they hired Midwest Transit Equipment to transform their new pre-owned bus.
What once was a 78 passenger bus is now a 40 passenger activity bus. Additions to the bus include Freedman activity seats, ducted A/C with parcel racks, 2 skirt-mounted luggage boxes, new flooring and 3 color exterior paint job with custom vinyl graphics. “We had the bus painted in our school colors and added a picture of our mascot. The bus really encourages a sense of pride for our faculty, staff, students and community,” says Brad Case, South Knox School Superintendent.
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