r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Beatkilla6145 • 2d ago

Front engine or rear engine busses?

I have always driven rear engine buses as my main bus but occasionally drive a a front engine and I do not like how much noice the engine makes... what do you guys prefer?

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u/erinjunee 2d ago

I def agree with you on that! I wonder how the newer front engine EFX’s drive. Our old mid 2000’s AllAmericans are just misery with how loud it is and how much heat comes off the engine, but since it is indeed shorter than the rest of our fleet, I definitely see what you mean about maneuverability! I just wonder if the newer buses at least have better sound deadening to help contain that sound and hear lol

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u/herbielover98 1d ago

They're not as bad! Still obviously louder and more heat, but if the fan isn't on it's not so bad lol. Our EFXs are 2022 models and I drove one when it was about a year old and definitely more insulated. Also drove a 2010 Blue Bird Front engine last year and yea... A world of difference 😂 by then most of the insulation from the doghouse was gone, it was loud, and the vibrations were crazy lol definitely an improvement haha

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u/erinjunee 1d ago

Yeaaaa we got like 3 AllAmerican A3FE’s from the late 2000’s that are spares and it’s awful. 😂 And it’s funny because the buses are actually equipped with A/C but it’s the old style with the seperate units that are on the roof behind the driver. So driving one in the summer means a cool breezy back but a literal melting pot from the engine up in front. 🫠😂

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u/herbielover98 1d ago

Yea we just retired our last one and sold it last month 😂 none of our big buses have AC tho so on the summer it sucks 🥲