Posted
06/08/2015
by Henry Headden
This article was reviewed and updated on December 23, 2025.
The Carpenter Bus Sales Advantage: Our Online Parts Store One distinct advantage that Carpenter Bus Sales holds over competitors is our dedicated online bus parts store. With thousands of items available at the click of a button, we can get you the specific component you need to keep y […]
Posted
06/07/2015
by Henry Headden
This article was reviewed and updated on December 23, 2025.
Deciding when to buy a wheelchair accessible bus There are many organizations that serve passengers with special needs. Finding the right bus for sale for those with disabilities does not have to be difficult. However, the question of when to buy a wheelchair-equipped bus needs to be a […]
Posted
06/06/2015
by Dominic Menard
For most churches, schools, hotels, and senior living communities, a gas bus is the more economical choice, and the majority of buses Carpenter Bus Sales sells today are gas powered. A diesel bus earns its higher purchase price mainly with about 25,000 or more highway miles a year, steep terrain, and heavy loads, where diesel's roughly 20% to 35% b […]
Posted
06/05/2015
by Henry Headden
This article was reviewed and updated on December 23, 2025.
Overcoming the financial barrier
The single biggest barrier for any organization looking to acquire transportation is financing.
However, with a little work and creative thinking, almost any barrier can be overcome. At Carpenter Bus Sales, our goal is to ensure every customer can purchase […]
Posted
06/04/2015
by Henry Headden
This article was reviewed and updated on December 23, 2025.
Customizing your bus for maximum comfort Every customer is unique, and so are their transportation needs. Some organizations require all the "bells and whistles" available on a premium Starcraft bus, while others only need the bare necessities. Determining which features your organizat […]
Posted
05/07/2015
by Dominic Menard
A 15 passenger van and a 15 passenger bus both carry up to 15 people including the driver, and in most states neither one requires a commercial driver's license, so the real decision is how often you move people and who is riding. Carpenter Bus Sales sells both vehicles, and the honest answer is that each one wins in different conditions.
This com […]
Posted
04/26/2015
by Bryan George
Why groups rent a bus instead of coordinating cars
Event planning is time consuming and stressful. Venues, catering, timing, and headcount all have to line up, and transportation is often the piece that gets settled last.
It is also the piece that is easiest to hand off. Renting a bus moves the whole group in one vehicle, on one schedule, with o […]
Posted
01/11/2015
by Bryan George
This article was reviewed and updated on December 23, 2025.
Building the perfect bus for your needs When the time comes to buy transportation for your organization, remember that you are not limited to what is sitting on the lot. One of the greatest advantages of working with a dealer like Carpenter Bus Sales is the ability to customize new shu […]
Posted
01/10/2015
by Bryan George
This article was reviewed and updated on August 13, 2026.
Your bus is more than just transportation Aside from the usual operational reasons for adding a new or refurbished vehicle to your fleet, there are strategic advantages you may not have considered. Certainly, your primary goal is to offer the best type of transportation available, which […]
Posted
01/09/2015
by Dominic Menard
A year of routine maintenance on a church, senior care, or shuttle bus comes down to a handful of line items, and this guide breaks down what each one costs at the Carpenter Bus Sales service shop. In 2026, the shop typically charges about $2,245* a year to maintain a 15 passenger gas bus. For a larger bus, the guide uses a Freightliner 38 passenge […]
Posted
01/08/2015
by Dominic Menard
Quick answer: Federal rules require a Commercial Driver's License plus a Passenger (P) endorsement whenever a vehicle is built to hold 16 or more people (driver included) or carries a GVWR or GVW of 26,001 pounds or higher. Stay under both thresholds and a standard driver's license is normally sufficient. A few states, California and Connecticut am […]
Posted
09/05/2014
by Dominic Menard
Carpenter Bus Sales recommends a new bus when your organization drives often or far and wants warranty protection from day one, and a used bus when budget is the deciding factor and the bus passes a thorough inspection backed by documented maintenance. A used bus costs less up front, but its factory warranty may have already run out on time or mile […]