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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
 Posted - 06/10/2002 : 8:07:40 PM
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The industry is now coming out with a heated stepwell! We are planning on putting them on our buses in the next order. Dose anyone else have this coming on there buses?
Edited by - Busboy on 06/11/2002 7:58:02 PM |
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Rich
Top Member
United States
5768 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2002 : 12:44:19 PM
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What's next? Massaging passenger seats???
I really don't see the need for heated stepwells... it's not like ice forms on them!
In my opinion, it's a useless spec, that will most likely end up costing the district or contractor more than it's worth in helping to prevent injuries, or whatever it's for.
"School Buses... an American Tradition!"
My school bus store: http://museummiddle.tripod.com/schoolbuscentral/id18.html
My school bus webpage: http://museummiddle.tripod.com |
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member
USA
1315 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2002 : 12:49:27 PM
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What is the use for heated stepwells?
What next will happen in this crazy circus?! |
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Silas J.
Top Member
USA
938 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2002 : 3:48:33 PM
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It can form, but doesn't always form. I can see the purpose of it, but I don't really think that it's neccesary.
Silas J.
__________________________________________________
The School Bus Archives-http://schoolbusarchives.tripod.com
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2002 : 6:45:26 PM
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It seems as if here in Michigan we have snow/slush on the bottom step from December to March, what you can't get out after the P.M. run freezes up overnight, and is there in the morning, and if it is snowing out, more and more comes in and builds up.
While we probably won't be specing this, as I assume it will be expensive, it can be worth it in certain areas.
"Thomas Parking Only- All others will be crushed."
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2002 : 7:56:18 PM
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Many of you may not see the need in this! Then why have heated mirrors? If this is an option to help the driver not to worry about if a child will fall flat on their face because the step well keeps icing over, then why not have it on your bus?
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rockpik98
Active Member
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2002 : 3:33:54 PM
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When the stepwell warmer goes on the blink, do you down the bus until it is fixed?
Why not just fix the problem in the summer before fall or winter starts and save some bucks.
Mikey |
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member
USA
1315 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2002 : 5:24:05 PM
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quote:
Many of you may not see the need in this! Then why have heated mirrors? If this is an option to help the driver not to worry about if a child will fall flat on their face because the step well keeps icing over, then why not have it on your bus?
Heated mirrors are good because they take the gunk off the mirrors so the drivers have better visability.
What next will happen in this crazy circus?! |
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LaidlawDriverMassachusetts
Senior Member
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2002 : 8:49:51 PM
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Hmmm ALl of our busses have stepwell heaters- We have a switch next to the defroster switch that says Stepwell heater...It helps alot especally in the winter to melt the ice that has formed on the steps closest to the door.....I thought all busses had this !
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2002 : 10:00:55 AM
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Ok Richard!
I want to know why you think the stepwell heater is better now?
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exCYter
Advanced Member
233 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2002 : 4:53:58 PM
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I really think the heated stepwell's are not needed. I think you'd be better served by keeping the stepwell heater cranked on high and ordering the entrance steps with those rubber nipples. Those things are awesome and work quite well.
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UncleNeal
Senior Member
USA
153 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2002 : 07:13:30 AM
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Heated stepwells sounds like an expensive option with little benefit... But if it works, it might not be a bad idea. I suppose it would be good for some areas and not useful in others, like any other option...
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Busmatt
Active Member
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2002 : 5:41:25 PM
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I'm also from Michigan and I have a relatively inexpensive spray that takes care of ice and such for several days per application.
Heated stepwells sounds like something else to break.
Not to mention that they better get warm when they are being inspected by the state evry year.. or the bus gets marked down.
Seems like an unneccesary expense, for little benefit.
Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if neccesary. |
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2002 : 6:32:35 PM
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A heated stepwell is not a requirement, so I don't think they would yellow tag you if it were not working.
Michigan inspection criteria can be found here:
http://www.msp.state.mi.us/mcd/Bus_inspec/DecalAppPolicy.htm
"America's #1 Conventional School Bus- Thomas/International."
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2002 : 11:56:07 AM
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I was in a state meeting with many Schools that are going with the heated step well! Many of these schools are in the northern part of are state and deal with a lot of snow!
I'm assuming this is a good option to have!
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2002 : 5:03:40 PM
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quote:
I was in a state meeting with many Schools that are going with the heated step well! Many of these schools are in the northern part of are state and deal with a lot of snow!
I'm assuming this is a good option to have!
You may be interested to know that the brand-new IC CE First Student buses the district next to mine received this past summer have stepwell heaters in them. We'll see how they like them.
-Bob-
____________________________________________________________
"I C a yellow school bus coming, and there is no doubt who built it."
"I C a bold yellow future coming this way."
www.ic-corp.com
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2002 : 08:48:23 AM
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Hey Bob,
Some of my drivers were over in your area to help out with the start up of school and said that those IC's were wonderful to drive!
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2002 : 7:45:57 PM
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Hey Bob,
Some of my drivers were over in your area to help out with the start up of school and said that those IC's were wonderful to drive!
Hey Kevin,
I didn't know that! That is quite interesting!
Yes, these IC's look GREAT!! I really, really like them. A lot of the drivers there like them as well, especially since most of them were driving older buses with the previous contractor.
There are actually a few more bramd-new IC CEs that First Student has which are operating for a few towns south of me. Their contract with First Student was new starting this year.
These new IC CEs are definitely impressive! I am sure you would like them, too. I will have to try and get some pictures sometime.
-Bob-
____________________________________________________________
"I C a yellow school bus coming, and there is no doubt who built it."
"I C a bold yellow future coming this way."
www.ic-corp.com
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2002 : 2:49:03 PM
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They were sent over to help for about a month. They brought back some pictures! Some really nice IC's!
Edited by - Busboy on 10/30/2002 3:01:10 PM |
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2002 : 3:39:07 PM
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quote:
They were sent over to help for about a month. They brought back some pictures! Some really nice IC's!
Hey Kevin,
That's great that your drivers brought back some pictures of the new IC CEs here in MA. I bet you liked them alot. They are truly great buses and I really, really love them as well!
-Bob-
____________________________________________________________
"I C a yellow school bus coming, and there is no doubt who built it."
"I C a bold yellow future coming this way."
www.ic-corp.com
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2002 : 5:37:25 PM
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Bob,
Dose this mean your not a fan of Blue Birds anymore?
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2002 : 6:08:57 PM
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Can you honestly blame him?
"America's #1 Conventional School Bus- Thomas/International."
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2002 : 4:57:24 PM
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Can you honestly blame him?
Hey 86_a,
I can safely say this: I am more fond of IC buses now than I have been of Blue Birds in the past. 
quote:
Bob,
Dose this mean your not a fan of Blue Birds anymore?
Hey Kevin,
The simple answer is no. I am still a fan of Blue Birds. However, my most favorite school buses produced and available today are any of IC's school buses. RE, FE, and CE--in that order of preference. I am all about anything and everything International/IC at this point in time!
International/IC makes their own chassis, their own engines, and their own bus bodies. Everything comes from one company, which is one of many aspects I like about them. If you think about it, technically International/IC is the one and only school bus manufacturer that makes all three components for their buses: the chassis, the engine, and the body!
I used to like Blue Birds alot more than I do now. They were my most favorite school buses up until about 2001. In 2001, International/AmTran/IC became my most favorite school bus, and so it stands today! Blue Bird has taken the back seat, but I do like them. Currently, I like their transits much more than their conventional buses, unless it's on an International chassis!
We'll see what Blue Bird has to offer in November. My opinion may (or may not) change once I see their new products. I am pretty set in my ways with International/IC for right now, though.
(I could really [!!] go into much more detail about this issue if you really wanted me to, but I figured I would spare the forum space. hehehehe  )
-Bob-
____________________________________________________________
"I C a yellow school bus coming, and there is no doubt who built it."
"I C a bold yellow future coming this way."
www.ic-corp.com
Edited by - B. Busguy33 on 10/31/2002 5:05:06 PM |
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Topic |
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Heated Stepwells
