blue bird all american school buses
TRANSCRIPT
The TWo beST ThiNGS aboUT oUr NeW aLL aMeriCaNS®?
What We’ve Changed. and What We haven’t.
aLL aMeriCaN (tX3 & gt3)
The new All American rear emergency door is the widest in class. Bonded glass adds to its structural strength.
A 1.5” wider, 2” taller power-entry door eases loading and unloading—tested over 1 million times to ensure durability.
Our crisp, new roof profile provides 78” headroom at the aisle center and carries more headroom out to the windows—more room for heads, hats, and ceiling-hung HVAC equipment.
The NexT GeNeraTioN aLL aMeriCaN® What We’ve Changed and What We haven’t.
You told us what you wanted—and we listenedFor years, Blue Bird All Americans have set Type D bus standards. Now, our new next generation All American raises the industry standards.
How? By listening to you—our riders, drivers, service technicians and transportation directors. The next generation All American features
greater safety benefits, a more comfortable, ergonomic, and productive driver cockpit, easier serviceability and accessibility, and a bus
that challenges industry innovations further. All this wrapped up in a fresh new design.
raising the industry barIts larger entryway can easily accommodate even your most challenging football and basketball teams. Inside, increased headroom and
premium highback seats improve the journey. Along the way, our strengthened one-piece roof bows, 16-gauge side rails, 20-gauge side
walls, and new, bonded front and rear glass work as a unitized structure to provide unexcelled protection and extra years of service—a
comfort to parents and school boards alike. Of course, some things never change. Students whose dogs ate their homework and forgot
their lunch money still won’t appreciate the hours of focus groups that went into the redesign. But they’ll thoroughly enjoy the ride.
Pedals are optimally-spaced and fully adjustable.
For drivers who “need their space”, added room behind the driver’s seat helps to create a welcome zone of calm.
Ease. Information at a glance. Fingertip control. These were the driving goals behind our cockpit re-design. By ergonomically arranging all elements according to their frequency of use, we’ve engineered a better-working cockpit.
New design—one bus fits allIn the new All American®, every driver, regardless of stature, will be more comfortable and productive. We’ve moved our dash forward 4”,
moved the driver back 2.75”, carved out .5” more trunk room and .7” more knee room, shifted the engine hood .5” to the right, and
designed a 33% larger windshield that lets even the tallest of drivers see traffic lights without ducking. Yet small and slight drivers will
feel large and in charge. Full seat travel with air or hydraulic brakes, a tilt/telescoping steering, and optional adjustable pedals
all contribute to a custom fit.
road masteryCompared to the next generation All American, competitive buses drive like, well, the buses of yesteryear. So what makes ours
better-driving? Unmatched maneuverability, for starters. Our shorter wheelbases, coupled with new 50º steering, enable All Americans
to get through more tight spots in one cut. Increased under-hood insulation makes the new All American FE even quieter than before
and lowers summer cockpit heat. A higher-flow, higher-capacity heater/defroster keeps our bigger windshield clear. And while buses
in wintry climates may still get snowballed, our new wipers will sweep nearly 90% of the view, quickly restoring visibility.
YoUr DriVerS have neveR had It SO gOOd.
5''
5.63''
Mechanics no longer look at changing a light bulb as a lengthy challenge. Our newly redesigned hood now features headlight changes as a 10-minute job.
By moving the electrical panel from inside a front wheel to under the driver’s side window, we’ve made access cleaner and easier. And by upgrading from crimped electrical fittings to molded fittings and pre-tested harnesses, we’ve maximized electrical reliability.
The new open-door policyMaintenance techs are accustomed to spending half of their energy (and half of their aches and skinned knuckles) just gaining access
to the parts that need service. The new Blue Bird All Americans® make access easier, freeing more time and energy for the actual work
that keeps buses on the road and at their best. For instance, the All Americans’ wiper motors are mounted on hinged, swing-out access
doors as easy to open as a locker. The electrical panel is now accessed through a chest-high exterior door under the driver’s
side window. Inspections and service are now a quick, clean and stand-up task.
engine accessOne substantial request from service technicians is for increased engine access. We’ve got good news for you in this regard. The new
Blue Bird All American RE, like its predecessor, offers best-in-class engine access. The new All American FE is outstanding in its class as
well. With its pantograph-hinged grille raised and its optional swing-out radiator shifted aside, nothing stands between the mechanic
and the front of the engine. Access is as easy as 1,2,3.
iS iT CheaTiNG When a BUS IS thIS eaSY tO WORK On?
Where design and innovation meet safetyThanks to the way we build, finance and support them, Blue Bird All Americans® typically deliver the most miles and years, with the
least trouble, at the lowest lifecycle cost in their class. For instance, only Blue Bird undercoats bus bodies before they are mounted to
ensure 100% protection. We use mineral wool insulation instead of fiberglass to keep moisture from wicking into body cavities. Blue Bird
Financial Services has the knowledge, experience and factory-direct capital to offer you the industry’s most creative, cost-saving finance
solutions. And unlike dealers of other brands, your Blue Bird Dealer puts bus needs—your needs—first and foremost. You’ll never wait
for service behind truck fleets at a Blue Bird Dealer. The only trucks you’ll see there are delivering bus parts.
The next generation all americanOur new Blue Bird All Americans have a presence, a spirit and innovation that words and pictures on the page can only hint at. The way to
evaluate this bus is in the metal, in the seats, at the wheel and at the table with your Dealer—wish list and sharp pencil in hand. You owe
it to yourself, and to riders, drivers, technicians and parents. To the benefit of all, your bus has just arrived.
a legacy of trustFor over 80 years, carrying generations of riders over billions of miles, Blue Bird has built a global legacy of trust with schools and other
transportation needs worldwide. Recognizing the responsibility this trust confers, we have engineered and built our new All Americans to
carry Blue Bird’s tradition of reliability, durability and safety far into the future.
TheY’LL PerForM aS WeLL On YOUR ReCORdS aS theY WILL On YOUR ROadS.
Outstanding Blue Bird technical training builds the competence and service of Dealer technicians and your own.
Blue Bird Financial Services provides you with a range of attractive lease and purchase options.
Our expert Parts & Service team draws on one of the industry’s largest inventories of bus parts. We upgrade these parts when we improve the same components for our new buses, helping to improve the Blue Bird buses in your fleet throughout their lifecycle.
Optional video monitoring lets the driver survey up to four viewpoints at once on one cockpit-mounted, multi-frame monitor.
All American special needs options include ADA compliant wheelchair lifts from suppliers including Braun and Ricon.
The All American’s highly-legible gauges are at the heart of an ergonomically engineered cockpit that prioritizes information and controls based on their frequency of use.
The aLL aMeriCaN® (tX3 & gt3) that tRULY LIveS UP tO ItS naMe
Some kids wi l l st i l l miss i t .
Dimensionally stable, non-wicking mineral wool insulation
Bonded windshield— added safety and strength
Larger door—2” taller, 1 1/2” wider
20-gauge rust-proofed sheet metal
2-piece windshield— easy replacement, greater uptime
High-strength low-alloy steel 1-piece roof bows
Integral drip molding visors
An optional, premium stainless steel step well is one more reason why Blue Bird buses last so long.
Is a handy cup holder a small detail? Not to a driver on cold pre-dawn mornings.
Our LED lights are bright, energy-efficient and incredibly long-lasting compared with conventional bulbs.
Larger grille opening— ease of serviceability—more uptime
Wiper sweep area—89.6% coverage
Shell reinforcement to ensure driver’s safety
Redesigned ergonomic driver’s area
Windshield—33% larger, 7” higherRiveted 1-piece roof sheets
Squared-up roof profile—more headroom
CAPACITY Multiple floor plans available with passenger seating up to 84
ExTERIOR WIDTH 96”
INTERIOR WIDTH 90 3/4”
AISLE WIDTH Varies by floor plan
SkIRT LENgTH 19 3/4”
INTERIOR HEADROOM 78”
OVERALL HEIgHT 123” - 126”
WHEELBASE 141” / 169” / 190” / 211” /232”
STEP HEIgHT (F/R) Varies
OVERHANg Front: 94.48” with standard steel bumper Rear: Varies on model sizes
FUEL TANk 60-gallon between the frame rails in rear overhang
ENTRANCE DOOR 32” wide x 81” high/double “full view” electric outward opening
REAR DOOR 43 3/4” wide x 62” high
TRANSMISSION Allison® PTS 2500 Series
ENgINE Cummins® ISB-07, 200-280hp
TIRE SIzE 10R22.5(g), goodyear g149
ALTERNATOR 200-Amp Bosch
BRAkES Meritor four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with ABS
SUSPENSION Front: 13,200 lb. 2-leaf parabolic springs; Rear: 17,000 2-stage leaf springs (rating varies by wheelbase)
STEERINg TRW THP-60 with 18.2 to 1 ratio
FRONT AxLE Hendrickson 13,200 lb. capacity
RE AR AxLE Meritor 21,000 lb. capacity
WHEEL CUT 50°
gVWR Up to 36,200 lb.
CAPACITY Multiple floor plans available with passenger seating up to 84
ExTERIOR WIDTH 96”
INTERIOR WIDTH 90 3/4”
AISLE WIDTH Varies by floor plan
SkIRT LENgTH 19 3/4”
INTERIOR HEADROOM 78”
OVERALL HEIgHT 123” - 126”
WHEELBASE 189” / 217” / 245” / 259”/273”
STEP HEIgHT (F/R) Varies
OVERHANg Front: 94.48” Rear: 121.75”
FUEL TANk 60-gallon between the frame rails
ENTRANCE DOOR 32” wide x 81” high / double “full view” outward opening
REAR WINDOW 55” wide x 22” high
TRANSMISSION Allison® PTS 3000
ENgINE Cummins® ISC-07, 260-300hp
TIRE SIzE 11R22.5(g), goodyear g149
ALTERNATOR 200 amp
BRAkES Meritor Air brakes 6” Front and 7” Rear (FEA 40070-07)
SUSPENSION Front: 13,200 lb. 2-leaf parabolic springs; Rear: 19,000 - 21,000 lb. 2-stage leaf springs (rating varies by wheelbase)
STEERINg THP-60 with 18.2 to 1 ratio
FRONT AxLE 13,200 lb.
REAR AxLE 19,000 - 21,000 lb.
WHEEL CUT 50°
gVWR Up to 36,200 lb.
aLL aMeriCaN® ForWarD eNGiNe (tX3 & gt3) teChnICaL SPeCIFICatIOn hIghLIghtS
aLL aMeriCaN® rear eNGiNe (tX3 & gt3) teChnICaL SPeCIFICatIOn hIghLIghtS
THE NExT gENERATION OF BLUE BIRD STARTS NOW.
L E A R N M O R E A T B L U E - B I R D . C O M