Collins Buses
Available in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah
For over 50 years Collins has delivered strong, safe, innovative and flexible bus models. From Type A school buses and daycare buses to multi-purpose activity buses, you can trust Collins to take your precious cargo and business to the next horizon. Collins buses are built on a flexible platform with a variety of seating configurations and the option of gas, diesel or propane power. Each Collins design is at the head of its class and delivers industry-leading strength and safety.
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School Buses
Collins’ Type A school bus offers safe and flexible solutions for shuttling students to and from school. With a max capacity of up to 34 passengers as well as a wide range of seating and chassis configurations, there’s a Collins school bus to fit your needs.
Multi-Function School Activity Buses and Multi-Purpose Vehicles
Collins' multi-function school activity buses and multi-purpose vehicles are engineered to meet the demands of every trip. Whether you need to transport students to and from school, after-school activities or athletics events, the Collins MFSAB and "Mini" MPV can get you there safely.
Childcare Buses
The Collins non-CDL daycare bus was built with little passengers in mind by expertly balancing the safest and strongest design with Collins’ trusted performance. With a capacity of up to 20 passengers and three powertrain options, the Collins daycare bus is rated as one of the most dependable daycare buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Collins buses are produced by Collins Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest River, Inc. All Collins buses are assembled at Collins Industries’ 94,000-square-foot facility in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Collins Industries was originally founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1967 as E-CON-O Conversion, which developed and built the first Type A school bus. In 1972, the company moved its headquarters to Hutchinson and rebranded as Collins Industries. Forest River purchased Collins Industries in January 2024.
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Collins Industries manufactures Type A school buses, multi-function school activity buses (MFSABs), multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and daycare buses.
- Type A School Bus: The Type A School Bus has been in production since 2012 and is available in single rear-wheel (SRW) or dual rear-wheel (DRW) configurations on a Ford E-Series, Ford Transit or Chevrolet Express/GM chassis.
- MFSAB: The MFSAB is a non-CDL bus that provides flexibility for multiple functions and activities. The Collins MFSAB is available in SRW or DRW configurations on a Chevrolet or Ford Transit chassis.
- “Mini” MPV: The “Mini” MPV is a non-yellow Type A school bus designed for after-school student activities and athletics. The MPV is built on a Ford Transit SRW chassis.
- Daycare Bus: The Daycare Bus is a non-CDL bus designed for childcare applications. The Daycare Bus is available on a Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana or Ford Transit SRW chassis.
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Type A buses, like the buses produced by Collins, are composed of a bus body constructed on a cutaway front section. Type A buses have a driver’s door on the left side and are designed to carry 10 or more passengers.
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Depending on the model and chassis, the Collins Type A School Bus, MFSAB and Daycare Bus come spec’d with either a Ford 3.7L Gas, Ford 3.2L PowerStroke® I-5 Turbo Diesel, Chevy/GM Vortec 4.8L Gas or Chevy/GM Vortec 6.0L Gas engine.
The Collins Daycare Bus also comes with the option for a 6.0L propane engine on Chevy/GM models and the Type A School Bus Ford E-Series models are spec’d with a 6.8L EFI V-10 gas engine. The Collins “Mini” MPV is equipped with a Ford 3.5L Gas engine.
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Collins buses are available with multiple seating configurations, including configurations that allow for wheelchair passengers.
- Type A School Bus: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 34 passengers plus various available wheelchair configurations.
- MFSAB: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 34 passengers plus various available wheelchair configurations.
- “Mini” MPV: Max capacity of nine passengers or five passengers with one wheelchair.
- Daycare Bus: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 20 passengers.
- Ford E-Transit School Bus: Max capacity of 12 passengers or eight passengers with two wheelchairs.
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The cost of a Collins bus can vary greatly depending on the model, seating configuration, application, power train, etc.
View our new and used Collins bus inventory or contact us to receive a specific quote from one of our sales representatives based on the bus model and configuration options you are interested in.
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All Collins buses have passed the rigorous Altoona Test as well as internal safety testing to ensure student safety from every angle. Interlocking cross members and interlocking floor beams create a roll cage structure that offers better rollover and side impact protection and a bus that is five times stronger. And the one-piece tubular roof bows form a sturdy shell that prevents crumpling and breakaway in the event of a rollover.
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Rush Bus Centers is the country’s premier bus dealer network and currently operates nine full-service Collins bus dealerships in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah.
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Our Rush Bus Centers service departments are staffed by factory-trained, ASE-certified technicians qualified to work on Type A, C and D buses. We currently have 36 dealerships certified to service and sell parts for Collins buses in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah.
