Senior Living Facility Buses
Keep Your Senior Residents Moving
From day trips to shopping runs to medical appointments, dependable transportation plays a big role in keeping your residents active, healthy, and connected. The Bus Center helps senior living facilities choose the right transportation options, built around your needs and priced to fit your budget.
About This Guide
Senior Living Facility Bus Buyer’s Guide
The bus for your senior living facility does more than move residents from place to place. It helps them stay connected and makes the outside world easier to reach. It is an important purchase, and many facilities have never had to make this decision before. The Bus Center is here to help. The guide below explains the steps involved in choosing a new senior living bus.
To start, think about how your bus will be used. Medical appointments, events, shopping trips, and daily errands all place different demands on a vehicle. Also consider the mobility needs of your residents and any support they may require.
With these points in mind, use the sections below to get started.
ADA & Mobility Access
Does your senior living bus or van need wheelchair access? This is something to confirm before you place your order, since adding a lift after the vehicle is built is very difficult and often not possible.
Most wheelchair-accessible buses and vans use a rear lift, along with proper tie-downs. At The Bus Center, we use BraunAbility lifts and Sure-Lok or Q’Straint tie-down kits. These systems are built to last for the full life of the bus or van. There are also low-entry options that reduce step height, though these can be costly on smaller buses and vans.
If you need guidance on wheelchair access or other mobility features, your The Bus Center sales rep can walk you through the choices.
Size & CDL
The next question is whether you will need a CDL. A CDL is a commercial driver’s license. Many senior living facilities do not need one, since buses or vans with up to 15 seats and under 26,000 pounds usually fall outside CDL rules. Laws vary by state, so check your state guidelines or ask your Bus Center sales rep for help.
If your facility needs a larger bus with more seats, a CDL will be required for anyone who drives it. The process to get a commercial driver’s license is straightforward and not costly. Your Bus Center sales rep can explain the steps and help you set up the exam.
Popular Features & Options
Buses and vans come with many options, but the key is choosing the ones that fit the needs of your senior living facility.
- Wheelchair lift or ramp, low step entry, and extra grab handles
- High back seats with padding, armrests, and extra legroom
- Strong rear A/C and heat
- Backup camera, side cameras, and step lighting
- Three-point belts and stability control
- Non-slip flooring and wide aisles for walkers and wheelchairs
- Rear storage for walkers, oxygen bags, and personal items
- Interior cameras, PA system, and GPS support
Some options can be added after purchase through upfitting as well, though this option may be more expensive. Your Bus Center sales rep can walk you through the full list of available options and help you decide which ones make the most sense for your residents.
New vs. Pre-Owned
A new vehicle includes factory warranty coverage on the chassis, powertrain, body, A/C, and other components. If something goes wrong, our warranty, parts, and service teams can help you get the vehicle back in service quickly.
Pre-owned units are usually sold as is, and many are no longer covered by factory warranties. They can still be a good option for tighter budgets, but it is important to check the condition and mileage.
Our pre-owned inventory changes often. If your facility is interested in a pre-owned bus or van, check our online listings or call your Bus Center sales rep to see what is currently available.
Flexible Financing Options
Depending on what fits your budget, we offer several leasing and financing options. Our Senior Living Lease Program gives you the lowest monthly payment we can provide, with $0 down. Ask your The Bus Center rep for details.
Trade-Ins
Upgrading to a new bus or van for your residents? We can review your current vehicle for a possible trade-in. Start with our trade-in evaluation guide.
Warranty Support
We will walk you through every step needed to keep your vehicle under warranty, and we will coordinate with our parts and service team on your behalf.
Get Started Today
Need Help Choosing the Right Vehicle?
Let us help. Share your passenger needs, schedule details, and anything else we should know, and one of our senior living bus specialists will reach out to assist with your selection.