School Bus Leasing vs. Buying: How Much Does a School Bus Cost?
For an organization like yours, there are many considerations when it comes to group transportation. From student transportation to commercial operators to professional organizations, your needs are your own. And at the end of the day, these needs fall into a pertinent question. Are there advantages of leasing versus buying a school bus?
This is an excellent question, and one worth considering. There are certainly advantages to both, but it ultimately comes down to cost. But remember, what is cost effective for one organization might not be for another. So let’s break down this question in a bit more detail.
Should I Buy or Rent a School Bus?
The question ultimately comes down to your purpose for shuttle services. Are field trips a regular part of your school or organization’s routine? If you are taking groups of students somewhere every week, then it might seem like owning is an obvious option. But slow down, because obvious might be a strong word.
Frequency of use is certainly a consideration that should be top of mind. And this consideration also plays into how much it costs to rent a school bus. But to be clear, renting a school bus is not quite the same as leasing a bus. While they are both contractual agreements with the bus owner, leases tend to have longer terms.
Additionally, leasing a bus typically results in an option to buy at the end of the lease. And since leases can be closer to two years (as opposed to limited rental), this is a popular option. But like renting or buying, there is not a single answer to how much it costs to lease a school bus. This is because there are many factors at play, such as size, air conditioning, storage space, etc.
Length of time and type of bus are not the only deciding factors on the table. As mentioned, there are many specifics that are tied back to your purpose. And it is worth noting, that the purpose of a school bus does not have to be to transport children to and from school.
For instance, if your school bus gives tours, then you will want a good sound system. And if you are transporting athletes for games every weekend, then storage needs to be a priority.
As you start tallying up all of your “must haves,” you will start to see how they could impact cost. And cost in and of itself might be your answer. But remember that there are costs related to actually owning or leasing, aside from the bus amenities themselves.
How Much Does a School Bus Cost?
Buying a school bus might be cheaper than renting a school bus every weekend. At least it might seem that way from the outset. But what about additional cost considerations from gas to insurance to maintenance?
A new school bus is likely to cost more than an older school bus. That is just how the world works. But a new school bus is also likely to have fewer maintenance issues. Additionally, a new school bus might have better windows and heating and cooling systems.
These all play a role in the final costs over time. And if you own a bus, then these costs come down to you. But if you rent a school bus, or lease one, then these costs come down to the owner. Many organizations see the benefits of such a situation.
Additionally, if this is your first time considering a school bus purchase, how do you know precisely what you want? If you rent a bus for a while or lease it for two years, you have a base of comparison. This can be worth the money for some organizations, especially if they are flexible for a while.
It is important to take all of these factors into account, as it will give you a more accurate answer. A school bus does not simply cost what the price tag says. If you travel often, it costs more because of gas. And if you want to save money by buying a used bus, you might spend more on periodic maintenance.
Ultimately, the best advice is to chat with the professionals
Get Specific with the Professionals
We put organizations in touch with sales professionals all over the country. The best thing you can do is be honest with the sales professional about your needs. This includes not only your intentions for the bus but also your budget and other details. They will help you see the benefits of either buying or renting a school bus.
Check out our buses for renting and leasing today.
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