Partition for driver?

[brandon1]

I bought an airport shuttle bus and I'm turning it into a party bus. I dont think the interior should be a problem as I have a professional to help me, but I'm wondering what I need exactly for laws?

Do i need some kind of partition to seperate the driver from the back since there will be alcohol consumption? the only thing i could find in the state regulations was that i needed a line with a sign saying that people in the back couldnt cross the line.

I know I don't need seatbelts in michigan.

[Steve W.]

Just for privacy you may want to consider putting up a curtain across that area so people looking in from the front cannot see anything. I am unsure on the laws there however, sorry.

[Digger]

I'm doing the exact same thing, just bought an airport shuttle with perimeter seating (will arrive today) and we are converting it to a party bus. We are planning to add a full wall behind the driver seat with a sliding door, the door will slide between the seat and wall. Basically it will be hanging from the top on rails with wheels and we'll add a latch to hold it shut (will open from either side). We want to do it this way so people in the back can't try slipping out the door without us seeing (with vehicle rolling). The main entrance will be in the front area and they will walk into the party area after stepping up into the bus.

What I got is a 2000 E-350 V-10 gas shuttle. The exterior is a pretty silver metallic and the inside is grey with blue seats. It's 14 passenger with a large storage area in the rear. We will be removing the inside luggage rack and adding a bar area, adding a killer sound system, a 26" flat screen with DVD and a bunch of lighting.

[Digger]

Exterior pic...

[brandon1]

thanks for the info digger, i would like to see it when its done. i just gutted most of the inside today, it looks like your bus is almost the same as mine. heres some pics of mine, its an 01 e450 15 passenger.

http://images.craigslist.org/0101050104090116072008031809caee7df590876d200052f4 .jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/01020501160301030020080318499fb51e557976035a00586e .jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/01150401021201041220080318248bb66dffe9f32e2200c9e3 .jpg

another question i had was what kind of insurance do i need to get? i want to do everything legit to protect myself, i will also be setting up an LLC to operate under.

[Digger]

This is my first bus so we'll be dealing with the insurance stuff shortly, but I think it will be 5 mil coverage minimum. As for plates... $300 bucks per year. It's gonna be steep to set it all up right at first but I'm sure it will pay me back quicker than the H2 Hummer does.

And yes, get the LLC, it's a must !!

As for your bus, it looks like it was made by the same peeps that built mine. Mine does have the rear storage area though and only seats 13.

[thompsongunner06]

I'm just curious,,how much did you pay and what was the millage? I know they are prob high millage because they just make loops at airport. Is it gas or diesel?

[Digger]

Mine was 7500 with 232k miles on it, but it has a much newer V-10 gas engine in it. My friend just brought it back from SC yesterday, it looks great inside and out. It's hard to believe that it has the mileage on it because it barely shows any wear anywhere.

BTW, looking at the back door we could read where the stickers had been removed... Hilton Hotel - Altanta.

[brandon1]

mine runs great but has 210k miles on it. it has a 7.3 power stroke diesel. the air/heat in the back needs to be looked at, the interior was REALLY dirty... which didnt matter because i gutted it, and there is a leak on the roof i need to fix. the body is in good shape except a few rust spots.

i paid 3500 for it. if anyone else is interested in one and doesnt mind getting it from the detroit area the same guy has about 6 more. i guess he bought like 15 of them from the airport at the same time.

[Blue Diamond]

Make sure you have a "Please reamain seated" sign also. NO DANCING POLES! You insurance company will flip out if they see your encouraging people to stand while your driving!! Dealt with many underwriters over the years. They look for "liability factors" and you will pay higher for them.

I'd suggest some way of installing cup holders and a place for coolers. You'll need to keep the isle open.

[Limo Insurance King]

Originally posted by Digger:
This is my first bus so we'll be dealing with the insurance stuff shortly, but I think it will be 5 mil coverage minimum.

Mine does have the rear storage area though and only seats 13.

Digger,

You would not be required to carry $5mm on this unit as the seating cap is less than 16.

Brandon, insurance is going to be dependent on your operations and also the state requirements.

[Greenpala]

For me if you are going a LIMO BUS route you got to have bathroom. Main reason why people rent limo bus to have standing room and have a bathroom. We get requests for buses but they ask for bathrooms. So to me there is no point in small limo bus. If you are going that route - go at least 30 pass.