New & Used Bus Sales for Churches & Senior Living in Pennsylvania
Get pricing on in-stock buses from America's #1 Church Bus Dealer, delivering to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown & all 67 counties.
What happens next
- 1Tell us what you need: One short form. Takes about a minute.
- 2Get your pricing: Our 5 best-priced new buses, one in every size, sent to you right away.
- 3Find the right fit: Your Pennsylvania specialist helps you compare sizes, features, and financing.
*Free lettering: 3 lines per side and 3 on the rear, text only, on bus purchases finalized within 90 days of inquiry.
Over 175 Buses Sold to Pennsylvania Organizations
Carpenter Bus Sales has sold over 175 buses to Pennsylvania churches, senior communities, schools, and shuttle operators, from Pittsburgh and Erie to State College, Harrisburg, Lancaster, the Lehigh Valley, and Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is a long drive from our Franklin, Tennessee headquarters, so most Pennsylvania buyers have their bus delivered. Between Franklin and our Elm Mott, Texas location, we generally have 200+ new and used buses in stock.
Covered Repairs at a Pennsylvania Shop
Pennsylvania owners don't need to bring a bus back to Tennessee for covered repairs. Our Warranty Administrator approves the claim, a qualified Pennsylvania shop does the work, and we pay the shop for approved parts and labor after your $100 deductible. Bigger jobs can go to our qualified technicians in Franklin, wherever you bought the bus.
Download Your FREE Bus Buying Guide!
Expert tips to make your bus purchase simple and stress-free.
PlatinumCare for Pennsylvania Churches & Senior Care
Carpenter Bus Sales offers the only 8-year unlimited mile warranty in the industry for churches, ministries, and senior care communities. Eligible Pennsylvania organizations get PlatinumCare free on every new bus.
- Bumper to Bumper: The whole bus for 8 years and unlimited miles, including the body and wheelchair lift. Routine maintenance and wear items aren't covered.
- Leases Included: Lease a new bus and PlatinumCare still applies, in your organization's name.
- Other Pennsylvania Buyers: Schools, shuttle operators, and businesses get SilverCare free (5 years or 60,000 miles) and can upgrade to GoldCare (7 years or 70,000 miles) for $800. New buses only.
Custom Solutions for Pennsylvania Industries
Church Buses for Pennsylvania Congregations
• PlatinumCare Included: New church buses get 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper-to-bumper coverage, free.
• Volunteer Drivers: PennDOT treats a vehicle designed for 16 or more people, including the driver, as a commercial vehicle, so a bus for 15 or fewer can usually be driven on a regular license.
• Room for Retreats: Rear or overhead luggage space is the add-on church buyers most often wish they had chosen.
• Financing in Your Church's Name: We almost always finance with the church itself, not individual members.
Wheelchair Accessible Buses for Pennsylvania Senior Care
• PlatinumCare Included: Senior care communities get 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper to bumper, free, and the lift is covered.
• Bus or Wheelchair Van: Wheelchair vans fit standard parking and hold 2 to 8 wheelchair positions without a CDL. Wheelchair buses carry more people and have a center aisle.
• Heavy-Duty Lifts: Commercial lifts from Braun, Ricon, and Maxon handle up to 800 pounds.
• Walk-Away Lease Option: Many senior communities lease so they can return the bus after a few years.
Shuttle Buses for Pennsylvania Private Schools
• Teams and Trips: Pennsylvania private schools buy from us most often for athletics, field trips, and activities.
• Flexibility: Private schools can usually choose any of our shuttle buses, not just school-bus-style vehicles. Check Pennsylvania rules before using a bus for daily routes.
• Child Care Centers: Pennsylvania child care center rules require drivers 18 or older, written parent consent for transportation, and staff ratios on board. For infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, the driver doesn't count toward the ratio.
• Activity Buses Available: We can also supply activity buses (MFSABs), built to yellow school bus structural standards. We don't sell yellow school buses.
Pennsylvania Bus Sizes and Licenses
| Bus Size | Passengers (incl. driver) | Common Uses | License Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bus | 15 or fewer | Church outings, assisted living trips, hotel and airport shuttles | Usually a regular license |
| Medium Bus | 16 to 30 | Youth groups, campus and parking shuttles, school athletics | Generally a Class C CDL with Passenger endorsement (Class B if 26,001 lbs or more) |
| Large Bus | 31 to 45 | Large church trips, employee and event shuttles | Generally a Class B CDL with Passenger endorsement |
Passenger counts include the driver, and our largest buses carry up to 45 people. PennDOT lists a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, as a commercial motor vehicle, and a school bus is one too. Confirm with PennDOT before you buy.
Delivery to All 67 Pennsylvania Counties
We deliver anywhere in Pennsylvania, from Pittsburgh, Erie, and Altoona to State College, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Scranton, Allentown, and Philadelphia.
- Timing: In-stock buses can often be delivered the same week or the next, and almost always within a month. Factory orders take 60 days to 9 months, depending on chassis availability.
- Cost: Delivery is charged per mile, one way, so your specialist will quote the current rate. Bargain Bus Deals buses are pickup only.
- Delivery Day: A Carpenter Bus team member walks your drivers through the bus and shows how the wheelchair lift works if you have one.
- Lettering: We can add your church, school, or company name before delivery. Allow a couple of extra weeks.
Pennsylvania Bus FAQ
Usually not for a bus designed for 15 or fewer people, including the driver. PennDOT treats a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, as a commercial motor vehicle, which needs a CDL with a Passenger endorsement.
Yes. Most of what people call mini buses are our small and medium shuttle buses, which carry 15 or fewer or 16 to 30 people, including the driver. We deliver them anywhere in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania's child care center rules (55 Pa. Code Chapter 3270) require written parent consent, a driver at least 18 with a valid license, and staff-to-child ratios while children ride. For infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, the driver can't be counted in the ratio, so plan for an extra adult.
Yes. Used inventory changes daily, and used church buses generally run $40,000 to $80,000 depending on year, mileage, and condition. A used bus keeps whatever factory warranty remains, and an optional service contract is available.
We don't sell full-size highway motorcoaches. Our buses carry up to 45 people, including the driver. Our large buses seat 31 to 45, and our L.A. West luxury executive coaches offer an upscale ride for smaller groups.
Pennsylvania Agencies to Know
Here's who handles what when a Pennsylvania organization buys and runs a bus. Rules can change, so confirm the details with each agency.
- Licenses, Titles, and Registration: PennDOT issues licenses and CDLs and handles titles and registration. Your paperwork from us starts with the titling form you complete with your specialist.
- School Buses: PennDOT counts a school bus as a commercial motor vehicle, and school bus drivers need a School Bus endorsement renewed every year.
- Child Care Transportation: The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services licenses child care centers under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3270, which has its own transportation section.
- Federal Rules: The FMCSA sets the federal CDL rules Pennsylvania follows, and NHTSA sets the safety standards new buses are built to.