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-   -   8 lakh budget - Which 10-12 seater School Bus? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commercial-vehicles/163872-8-lakh-budget-10-12-seater-school-bus.html)

I need to advice a school if they should buy a Tata Winger or not.

They need a 10-12 seater transport vehicle for students. The winger has served well in some schools.
I have heard that a new model is due but uncertain when. If anyone knows, pls suggest.

Is there an alternate to a winger at that price range ~ 8 lakhs for a 10-12 seater?

Though Winger is a good option for schools but little high on maintenance. Other options to consider are -
1) Force Motors - Tempo Traveller
2) Mahindra Bolero XL
3) Force Motors - Trax Cruiser (11+D seater)
4) Mahindra Tourister Mini Bus (High maintenance)

Bolero & Trax are not proper school vehicles but are used in tier 2/3 cities widely for the purpose.

I have not been in a Winger so cannot comment on it but you can also look at
1. Force Motors - Tempo Traveller
2. Mahindra Tourister

IMO Tourister is apt for school buses since its spacious and airy.

If its feasible, the school should also explore the possibility of buying two Tata Magic, http://www.tatamotors.com/vehicles/magic/magic.php, or two Mahindra Maxximo, http://www.mahindramaxximo.com/. Because I think on maintenance front, these small school buses should be cheaper.

I am not sure about the maintenance cost but the Winger is a very comfortable vehicle to travel in, especially if you're in the version with captain seats. The interior quality is also quite decent.
There are two wingers near my office ferrying executives to Kolkata (60 km away) in the evening and school children in the morning everyday. A simple google search gave me this link-it has the normal service costs at TASS for the vehicle.

Have no experience driving a Winger, but it was extremely comfortable and very fast as an ambulance (I was the stretcher passenger). The ride quality especially was a godsend as I was expecting a Traveller-like boucy ride.

For maintenance costs, a local tourist taxi/van stand is probably a better source of information than the private vehicle owners here.

I think that the maintenance cost for Winger will be more or less like any other commercial vehicle of that type. Compared to Traveller, the Winger may have advantage of easy and quick availability of spares. Operating Winger as a school bus will be a good decision IMO.

Two smaller vans in place of one Winger will increase the manpower cost.

The winger is a decent vehicle. Having a lot of space and can do well as a school van. However, I would also suggest to keep your mind open about the Tempo Traveler, that would be a safer vehicle to have kids, in according to me.

I have taken a ride in both and found the Winger to be an up sized Omni (having no vehicle in front of the driver) and the traveler to be the younger brother of a bus. Kids in the traveler could easily stand and move around if needed.

Do update us on the decision you take. :)

Manufacturers now have a ready line-up of school buses. While most of them are too big for the intended purpose, there are smaller ones too.

IMP: If you choose a Tata school bus, be sure to buy their awesome Telematics package - more information.

Main thread:






Here's the Force Traveller that others are talking about - main post:

Do any of the suggested alternatives come with seat belts for the children? I am yet to see any school-provided transport which is mindful of the safety of the children which travel in it.

I do not mean to hijack this thread, but what all should one look for when choosing safe school transport for their kids. I can only think of seatbelts, because kids inevitably doze off in a school bus which does not sound very safe to me!

Even if they provide seat belts none of the kids would use it, leave aside the bus driver forcing the practice. However mindful thought.

Whats with the kids these days!!!They are dozing off in school buses!! we used to love the ride during our times. Fights,games,fights,studying during exams, fights, quizzing, singing,quarrels were all part of the bus ride.Leave seat belts even the seats used to get uprooted during "gang" wars.lol:

Coming back to the thread I think the Tata Winger makes an excellent choice. Our office uses it for drop at home purpose .Pickup,interiors,space and comfort is quite good.

I work right opposite a school and the the most popular is the Tata Magic. It is configured to seat about 08 - 10 children. Another option is the Mahindra Tourister. (http://www.mytouristeri.com/).

Does Winger still come with the TCIC engine or have they introduced DiCOR?