Blue Bird Corporation is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Founded in 1927, Blue Bird designs and produces a variety of Type A, C, and D school buses to meet the needs of school districts across the United States and Canada.
Blue Bird Bus Chassis Overview
When deciding on a new school bus, one of the key factors for school districts is the type of chassis used. The chassis provides the foundation on which the bus body is mounted. Blue Bird offers both conventional and integral chassis options across their different bus models.
A conventional chassis has a separate body and frame. The engine, transmission, axles, tires, and suspension components are mounted on the frame rails. The body is then attached on top of the frame. This allows the chassis and body to be supplied by different manufacturers.
In an integral chassis design, the body and chassis are integrated into a single unified structure. The body and frame cannot be separated. This allows for tighter component packaging and a lower floor height. Disadvantages are less flexibility in body/chassis pairing and higher repair costs if the structure is damaged.
Blue Bird Conventional Chassis
For many years, Blue Bird offered their Vision and All American model buses exclusively with conventional chassis from companies like Ford, GM, and International. These OEM chassis provide proven and rugged designs but often result in a higher floor and less space inside the bus.
Some of the conventional chassis options used by Blue Bird have included:
- Ford F-650/F-750
- GM 6000/7000 Series
- International 3300/4000 Series
- Freightliner FS-65
These chassis utilize V8 diesel engines paired with automatic transmissions driving the rear wheels. Suspension is by leaf springs or air bags. Brakes are hydraulic with ABS. Tires are 19.5″ diameter all-season radials.
Blue Bird Integral Chassis
In recent years, Blue Bird has introduced new models featuring modern integral chassis designs. These include the Vision Transit, All American RE, and Micro Bird G5 and MB-II models.
The integral chassis allows lower floor heights and greater interior capacity. They also incorporate advanced engineering and the latest emissions/safety technologies.
Key features of Blue Bird’s proprietary integral chassis include:
- Low-profile design with lowered floor
- Cummins or Power Solutions International diesel engine
- Electric, hydraulic or air brakes
- Independent front suspension
- Leaf spring or air ride rear suspension
- Fuel tank between frame rails
These modern chassis have continued Blue Bird’s reputation for ruggedness while allowing improved maneuverability, safety, and accessibility.
Comparison of Blue Bird Chassis
When comparing Blue Bird chassis options, there are a few key factors that differentiate the models:
Characteristic | Conventional Chassis | Integral Chassis |
---|---|---|
Floor height | Higher | Lower |
Body mounting | On frame | Unified body/chassis |
Repair complexity | Moderate | Higher |
Front suspension | Leaf springs | Independent suspension |
Interior capacity | Reduced | Increased |
School bus fleets need to evaluate factors such as capacity needs, operating costs, accessibility, and state/local regulations when selecting between conventional and integral chassis options.
Blue Bird Bus Models
Blue Bird manufactures a range of school bus models across their Vision, All American, Micro Bird, and Concept lines. The chassis used depends on the size, configuration, and features of each bus.
Blue Bird Vision
The Vision is Blue Bird’s workhorse conventional style school bus. Current chassis options include:
- Ford F-650/F-750 (gasoline or diesel)
- GM 6500/7500 Series (gasoline or diesel)
- Blue Bird Vision Integral Chassis (Cummins diesel)
The Vision Integral uses Blue Bird’s own proprietary chassis design featuring 54″ floor-to-ceiling height. This maximizes interior headroom while maintaining manageable exterior dimensions. Vision Integral models can accommodate up to 81 passengers.
Blue Bird All American
The All American is Blue Bird’s Type D transit-style school bus. Chassis options include:
- Freightliner FS-65
- Blue Bird All American Integral Chassis (Cummins diesel)
The integral All American RE has a GVWR up to 33,000 lbs and can carry up to 90 passengers. The low integral chassis provides a flat floor and ample headroom throughout the passenger compartment.
Blue Bird Micro Bird
For smaller Type A buses, Blue Bird offers the Micro Bird G5, MB-II, and T3 models. These feature an integrated proprietary chassis design with GVWR of 14,500 to 19,500 lbs.
The Micro Bird chassis uses a Cummins ISB or Power Solutions International engine mounted behind the front axle. This compact, maneuverable design is ideal for tight routes and maximizes capacity in a short wheelbase.
Blue Bird Concept
Blue Bird’s Type C concept bus prototypes have featured an integrated proprietary chassis. These models showcase Blue Bird’s future innovations including electric and alternative fuel capabilities.
The Concept chassis incorporates a modular design optimized for alternate fuels or electrification. By designing their own chassis, Blue Bird can tailor the layout to optimize new propulsion technology.
Blue Bird Dealer & Service Support
Blue Bird provides extensive dealer and service support for their full range of buses and chassis configurations. Their certified distribution and service network is one of the largest in North America.
Blue Bird dealers can provide:
- Sales of new and used Blue Bird buses
- Maintenance and repair services
- Warranty support
- Parts inventory
- Driver and technician training
This dedicated support network ensures maximum uptime and service life for Blue Bird’s school buses. Fleet managers have access to service manuals, wiring diagrams, and technical bulletins to assist repairs and troubleshooting.
Blue Bird Reputation & Experience
With over 95 years manufacturing school buses, Blue Bird has gained an excellent reputation for safety, quality, and reliability.
Key factors behind Blue Bird’s success include:
- Millions of buses produced over 9 decades
- Rigorous testing and validation
- Strategic partnership with leading chassis OEMs
- Continuous innovation in design and technology
- Focus on safety, comfort, and efficiency
- Comprehensive customer support
Blue Bird uses their proven expertise and manufacturing capabilities to produce robust, dependable chassis platforms paired with comfortable, long-lasting bus bodies. Their experience translates into chassis designs that meet the changing needs of school transportation fleets now and into the future.
Conclusion
As a leading school bus manufacturer, Blue Bird offers both conventional and integral chassis platforms to pair with their popular bus body designs. Their own proprietary chassis have distinct advantages for accessibility and capacity compared to OEM conventional chassis. Blue Bird’s extensive engineering experience and consideration of customer needs leads to durable and cost-effective chassis that help transport students safely.