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College & University Buses

Campus shuttles, athletics buses and admissions vans, from a 14-passenger circulator to a heavy-duty coach for the team.

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Capacity: 12–33 passengers
Wheelchair access: Lift or low-floor ramp
CDL: Not required at 14 passengers; required for team buses
Boarding: Fast-boarding circulators; luggage and gear bays on team buses
Typical chassis: Ford Transit, E-350/E-450, F-550, Freightliner S2C, RAM ProMaster

A campus fleet does three different jobs. The circulator runs a fixed loop between lots, dorms and the academic core all day, so it wants fast boarding and wheelchair access. Athletics needs a team bus with room for equipment, driven by someone with a CDL. Admissions and student groups need a van or small bus any staff member can drive on a Saturday.

TESCO supplies all three: low-floor buses and shuttle cutaways for the loop, 25-to-33-passenger buses on Ford F-550 and Freightliner chassis for teams, and Transit vans and 14-passenger buses for the everyday trip, all in school colors.

Buyer's guide

What to spec

The decisions that matter for college & university buses, the ones a rep will walk through with you before the build sheet.

Circulator or trip bus

A loop bus is spec'd for boarding speed and dwell time; a trip bus for seats, luggage and highway comfort. Trying to make one bus do both usually means it does neither well.

ADA on the loop

Every fixed-route campus shuttle needs a wheelchair position with a lift or a low-floor ramp. Low-floor boards faster and removes the lift from the route's critical path.

Team bus capacity

Count the roster, coaches and trainers, then add equipment: rear luggage bays or an under-floor compartment keep gear off the seats. Above 14 passengers the driver needs a CDL.

Student drivers

Vans and 14-passenger buses let trained student and staff drivers handle admissions tours and club trips without a commercial license. Set a driver policy and stick to it.

School colors

A wrap in school colors is the cheapest recruiting billboard a college owns. TESCO's graphics team produces it to your brand guide.

Electric on the loop

A fixed loop that returns to a depot is the best case for electric shuttles. Ask about electric vans and minibuses for campus routes.

Fits this work

Vehicles that fit this work

The platforms TESCO specs most often for college & university buses. Each links to its model or brand page.

20–25 passenger campus shuttle with lift. Explore

Medium-duty 25–33 passenger bus for teams and longer routes. Explore

Heavy-duty S2C coach for athletics with real luggage capacity. Explore

Also fits this work: Ford Transit Van Admissions and club van any trained staff member can drive.

On the lot

In stock now

Live from TESCO's lot, matched to college & university buses by body type. Open any panel for photos, floorplans and pricing.

New orders

25 on the lot · first 6

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Pre-owned

56 that fit · first 3

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Every new order and pre-owned unit in the body types that fit college & university buses, with filters, photos and pricing.

All Passenger Shuttles Wheelchair Accessible Buses (CDL) Luxury Vehicles Full Size Vans

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Questions

Questions we get about college & university buses

Do student drivers need a CDL?

Not for vehicles configured for 14 passengers or fewer plus the driver. Team and charter buses above that count need a CDL with a passenger endorsement, and most schools hire or contract those drivers.

What's the best bus for a fixed campus loop?

A low-floor bus with a kneeling ramp boards fastest and handles wheelchairs without a lift cycle. Where budget rules, a lift-equipped E-450 shuttle does the job at lower cost.

Can you build in school colors and logos?

Yes. Wraps, lettering and interior color choices are handled in-house and applied before delivery.

Do you sell through cooperative purchasing contracts for public colleges?

Yes. TESCO holds state and cooperative contracts that public institutions can buy from; ask your rep which contract covers your state.

Related uses

Also worth a look

EMPLOYEE SHUTTLE BUSES

CHARTER & TOUR BUSES

CHURCH BUSES

Spec it with someone who's built it before

Tell a TESCO rep what your routes look like and they'll come back with a build sheet, a delivery date and a price, whether you buy new, buy pre-owned or lease.

Request a quote Call 800.227.3572

College & University Buses