2009 Used Bus Showcase Archives
December 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Boys and Girls Club of Portage"
The Boys and Girls Club of Portage County, WI, a club dedicated to providing a positive environment for children and to promote character development and foster community, purchased their shuttle buses from Midwest Transit Equipment in August 2006. Within one month of purchasing these buses, the buses were wrapped and ready to be put to good use. Since 2006, the buses are continually being used for field trips and for daily pickup service, bringing kids to the sites for the program.
"Everyone notices [the buses] and makes great comments about them and our organization," says Kevin Quevillon, Executive Director. "Having them wrapped is a great promo for us."
Aside from being a great advertising tool for the organization, the buses are crutial to fulfilling the club's purpose. Quevillon says, "Our one shuttle for our Plover site brings in about 75% of our attendance at that site daily. Without it our attendance would go down as transportation is a barrier for many families."
November 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Arcadia Transportation"
Arcadia Transportation, which provides bus transportation services for people with disabilities, has purchased two buses from Midwest Transit Equipment. Their second and latest purchase from Midwest Transit is currently getting a cosmetic overhaul. The bus was transformed from school bus yellow to a dashing white. In addition to a complete paint job, Arcadia Transportation is also having air conditioning installed.
The total transformation will take two months with an estimated time of completion stated for this month. This bus will serve a specific purpose: to transport mentally and physically challenged adults.
Kathryn Trickey of Arcadia Transportation says, "It is always a great experience ordering buses from Midwest Transit. This is our second purchase, and I will purchase more buses as needed."
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October 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Kankakee County Fair Bus Races"
On Wednesday, July 29th, Kankakee County Fair held their annual school bus races. Each year, the events draw hundreds of onlookers cheering in the stands. This year, was no different. The events start long before the actual bus races. Weeks prior, local schools and organizations painted used buses (purchased from Midwest Transit Equipment). The painted buses were then ranked and winners announced. Trophies for best painted in 2009 were presented as follows:
1st -- Drill Team - Driven by Matt Witvoet of Herscher Illinois
2nd -- Central High School FFA - Driven by Norman Kleinert, Kankakee Illinois
3rd -- Boy Scouts Troop 361 - Driven by Kenny Dato, LaPorte Indiana
The painted buses were then lined up and raced for the win. The Figure 8 bus winners (in order) were:
1st -- Central FFA Bus Driven by Norman Kleinert, Kankakee, IL
2nd -- K3 Karting Bus Driven by Jason Maupin, LaPorte IN
3rd -- Girl Scouts Bus Driven by last years winner Keith Blower, LaPorte IN
4th -- Herscher FFA Bus Driven by Chris Allgower, Crown Point IN
5th -- River Valley FFA Bus Driven by Jimmy Witvoet, St. Anne IL
6th -- Central New Impressions Driven by Paul Jaurze, St. Anne IL
7th -- Wal-Mart Bus Driven by Darrin Hickel, LaPorte, IN
The following did not finish the race:
Drill Team Bus Driven by Matt Witvoet (crashed)
Boy Scouts Bus Driven by Kenny Dato (crashed into last years winner below)
Girl Scouts Bus driven by last years winner Keith Blower
Tammy Focken, Kankakee County Fair Manager, says “[The] most exciting was the Girl Scouts Bus driven by last year’s winner, Keith Blower, who rolled over in turn #4. After the dust settled, he crawled out the windshield, got on top of the rolled bus, waived to the crowd and bowed!”
One ticket gave the guests access to three events (school bus painting, figure 8 and demo (the most popular event)). Focken adds, “Thanks to Midwest Transit and their employees for making this event possible.”
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August 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Faith Baptist Church's Bus Ministry"
Over the years, Faith Baptist Church of Bourbonnais, IL has purchased a whole fleet of buses to be used for their bus ministry, picking up members of their congregation (children and adults) for church. These buses have each been painted white and blue with vinyl lettering displaying the name of the church on the sides. Each bus's transformation took anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to complete.
Pastor Hanson says, "Midwest Transit has been very helpful in providing affordable and mechanically sound busses for us."
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July 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Open Bible Center's Bus Ministry"
Open Bible Center of Kankakee, IL purchased its used bus from Midwest Transit Equipment in 2007. It took one week to have their bus, or "People Mover," as it's sometimes called, transformed. All changes were external. Open Bible had the bus painted with the center's name, contact information and slogan.
The bus is currently being used to shuttle members of the congregation to church on Sunday mornings. "It's a real good bus," says Pastor Brad. "We are very pleased." And what about the public's response? "They want one like it."
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June 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Greenfield Parks and Recreation"
Greenfield Parks and Recreation of Greenfield, IN purchased its used bus from Midwest Transit Equipment in May 2009. Their new bus does not yet have a name, however. The kids from this summer's Kid Kamp will do the honors of coming up with a creative moniker.
It took one month to completely repaint the bus and add their logo. They are looking forward to putting the bus to good use this summer during its camp program and preschool program (for field trips).
Midwest Transit Equipment maintains and operates a fully equipped body shop and full-size paint booth. All of our graphics are custom designed in-house, including artistic paint treatments and graphics. Your unique customization is limited only by your imagination.
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May 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Indiana Business College, School of Veterinary Technology"
The Indiana Business College, School of Veterinary Technology purchased its used bus in January 2009. After one month and a complete exterior paint job, their bus is ready to fulfill its transportation duty. The rehabbed bus transports veterinary students to large animal practicums (farms, animal sanctuaries, stables, etc.). The students love it!
Midwest Transit Equipment maintains and operates a fully equipped body shop and full-size paint booth. All of our graphics are custom designed in-house, including artistic paint treatments and graphics. Your unique customization is limited only by your imagination.
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April 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Christ's Place Church"
Christ’s Place Church in Lincoln, Nebraska purchased their used bus from Used-Bus.com in December 2008. Since purchasing their bus, Christ’s Place Church had Midwest Transit complete several aesthetic changes to their bus, including a paint job, the addition of a large graphic logo (on both sides), church information added to front and rear and the addition of chrome wheels. The project took between 2 – 3 weeks to complete.
Bruce Riddle, youth pastor at Christ’s Place Church, says, “The church people were overwhelmed with how the bus looked! We had a great experience [working with] Midwest Transit!”
Christ’s Place Church is using their bus to transport students to their youth services, conventions and other youth activities.
Midwest Transit Equipment maintains and operates a fully equipped body shop and full-size paint booth. All of our graphics are custom designed in-house, including artistic paint treatments and graphics. Your unique customization is limited only by your imagination.
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March 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"Landmark Baptist Ministries"
Landmark Independent Baptist Church of Louisville, KY purchased their used bus from Used-Bus.com in November 2008. 2 months later, the bus was given a facelift. The church hired Midwest Transit to paint the exterior (painted white with 1 silver and 2 blue rails and black wheels and bumpers). On the interior, they added air conditioning to optimize comfort for their members.
Since obtaining the finished bus in February, Landmark Independent Baptist Church has been using their bus within the ministry for both church and school functions/activities. The members love its sharp, clean look!
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February 2009
Used Bus Showcase
"K. RIMM Foundation's Green Machine"
The K. RIMM Foundation* purchased a used school bus from Used-Bus.com in August 2008. At present, the bus is being transformed from a yellow school bus into a mobile computer lab/learning center.
The bus was recently wrapped and is now painted green, and thus aptly called, “The Green Machine.” The interior has been completely gutted for the planned conversion. Kim Thurmon, the Foundation’s Executive Director, says they are hoping for a completion date of Feb. 15, 2009. There are already big plans for “The Green Machine.” Their first scheduled appearance is in March 2009 at a function held by the Chicago park district.
The bus, though not yet complete, is already causing quite a stir. Thurmon says, “Everyone that drives passed the bus can’t stop looking at it! They all want to know what it is being used for.”
Midwest Transit and Used-Bus.com are proud to have had the opportunity to help The K. RIMM Foundation make their mobile learning center dreams a reality.
*The K. RIMM Foundation’s mission is to service economically disadvantaged communities by enhancing their knowledge and interest in education.
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