Title/Name/Summary
Purchase of Two (2) Non-CDL Recreation Transportation Buses
History
The Recreation Department operates a fleet of passenger vehicles to support their programs and provide travel to their events.
An assessment of said fleet was conducted in 2023. At the time, it consisted of three (3) passenger vans and three (3) passenger buses with wheelchair lifts. Based on program sizes and scheduling, it was determined that the optimal fleet size would consist of two (2) passenger vans and two (2) properly equipped passenger buses. The three (3) vans were replaced by two (2) vans in FY24 and FY25.
Units 4313, 4315, and 4318 have manufacturing dates of 2015, 2016 and 2017. The units were all spec’d the same, and have all experienced the same usage and manufacturing deficiencies. These StarCraft body models have reached the end of the effective service life, which has led to increased maintenance costs, reliability concerns and increased downtime.
Replacing the three (3) older Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) buses with two (2) properly equipped non-CDL units allow us to right size the fleet for the current department needs. This change will improve overall service levels while reducing the number of vehicles to maintain.
Non-CDL buses can be operated by drivers with a standard license, eliminating the need for a CDL with passenger endorsements. This addresses driver shortages, reduces training, and licensing costs, while increasing scheduling flexibility.
The proposed bus body specifications were reviewed and accepted by the Recreation staff. Features such as rear access doors, heavy-duty chair lifts, overhead luggage racks, and fourteen (14) passenger capacity meet the department’s requirements.
Best Bus Sales of Des Plaines, Illinois, is the sole Endera dealer in the Midwest. They are participants in The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) National Cooperative Purchasing Program and have met strict procurement process guidelines.
Staff would l...
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