Blue Bird All American School Buses

The TWo beST ThiNGS aboUT oUr NeW aLL aMeriCaNS ? ®

What We’ve Changed. and What We haven’t.

aLL aMeriCaN (tX3 & gt3)

The NexT GeNeraTioN aLL aMeriCaN

®

What We’ve Changed and What We haven’t. You told us what you wanted—and we listened For years, Blue Bird All Americans have set Type D bus standards. Now, our new next generation All American raises the industry standards. How? By listening to you—our riders, drivers, service technicians and transportation directors. The next generation All American features greater safety benefits, a more comfortable, ergonomic, and productive driver cockpit, easier serviceability and accessibility, and a bus that challenges industry innovations further. All this wrapped up in a fresh new design.

raising the industry bar Its larger entryway can easily accommodate even your most challenging football and basketball teams. Inside, increased headroom and premium highback seats improve the journey. Along the way, our strengthened one-piece roof bows, 16-gauge side rails, 20-gauge side walls, and new, bonded front and rear glass work as a unitized structure to provide unexcelled protection and extra years of service—a comfort to parents and school boards alike. Of course, some things never change. Students whose dogs ate their homework and forgot their lunch money still won’t appreciate the hours of focus groups that went into the redesign. But they’ll thoroughly enjoy the ride.

A 1.5” wider, 2” taller power-entry door eases loading and unloading—tested over 1 million times to ensure durability.

The new All American rear emergency door is the widest in class. Bonded glass adds to its structural strength.

Our crisp, new roof profile provides 78” headroom at the aisle center and carries more headroom out to the windows—more room for heads, hats, and ceiling-hung HVAC equipment.

YoUr DriVerS have neveR had It SO gOOd. New design—one bus fits all In the new All American®, every driver, regardless of stature, will be more comfortable and productive. We’ve moved our dash forward 4”, moved the driver back 2.75”, carved out .5” more trunk room and .7” more knee room, shifted the engine hood .5” to the right, and designed a 33% larger windshield that lets even the tallest of drivers see traffic lights without ducking. Yet small and slight drivers will feel large and in charge. Full seat travel with air or hydraulic brakes, a tilt/telescoping steering, and optional adjustable pedals all contribute to a custom fit.

road mastery Compared to the next generation All American, competitive buses drive like, well, the buses of yesteryear. So what makes ours better-driving? Unmatched maneuverability, for starters. Our shorter wheelbases, coupled with new 50º steering, enable All Americans to get through more tight spots in one cut. Increased under-hood insulation makes the new All American FE even quieter than before and lowers summer cockpit heat. A higher-flow, higher-capacity heater/defroster keeps our bigger windshield clear. And while buses in wintry climates may still get snowballed, our new wipers will sweep nearly 90% of the view, quickly restoring visibility.

5''

5.63''

For drivers who “need their space”, added room behind the driver’s seat helps to create a welcome zone of calm.

Ease. Information at a glance. Fingertip control. These were the driving goals behind our cockpit re-design. By ergonomically arranging all elements according to their frequency of use, we’ve engineered a better-working cockpit.

Pedals are optimally-spaced and fully adjustable.

iS iT CheaTiNG When a BUS IS thIS eaSY tO WORK On? The new open-door policy Maintenance techs are accustomed to spending half of their energy (and half of their aches and skinned knuckles) just gaining access to the parts that need service. The new Blue Bird All Americans® make access easier, freeing more time and energy for the actual work that keeps buses on the road and at their best. For instance, the All Americans’ wiper motors are mounted on hinged, swing-out access doors as easy to open as a locker. The electrical panel is now accessed through a chest-high exterior door under the driver’s side window. Inspections and service are now a quick, clean and stand-up task.

engine access One substantial request from service technicians is for increased engine access. We’ve got good news for you in this regard. The new Blue Bird All American RE, like its predecessor, offers best-in-class engine access. The new All American FE is outstanding in its class as well. With its pantograph-hinged grille raised and its optional swing-out radiator shifted aside, nothing stands between the mechanic and the front of the engine. Access is as easy as 1,2,3.

Mechanics no longer look at changing a light bulb as a lengthy challenge. Our newly redesigned hood now features headlight changes as a 10-minute job.

By moving the electrical panel from inside a front wheel to under the driver’s side window, we’ve made access cleaner and easier. And by upgrading from crimped electrical fittings to molded fittings and pre-tested harnesses, we’ve maximized electrical reliability.

TheY’LL PerForM aS WeLL On YOUR ReCORdS aS theY WILL On YOUR ROadS. Where design and innovation meet safety Thanks to the way we build, finance and support them, Blue Bird All Americans® typically deliver the most miles and years, with the least trouble, at the lowest lifecycle cost in their class. For instance, only Blue Bird undercoats bus bodies before they are mounted to ensure 100% protection. We use mineral wool insulation instead of fiberglass to keep moisture from wicking into body cavities. Blue Bird Financial Services has the knowledge, experience and factory-direct capital to offer you the industry’s most creative, cost-saving finance solutions. And unlike dealers of other brands, your Blue Bird Dealer puts bus needs—your needs—first and foremost. You’ll never wait for service behind truck fleets at a Blue Bird Dealer. The only trucks you’ll see there are delivering bus parts.

The next generation all american Our new Blue Bird All Americans have a presence, a spirit and innovation that words and pictures on the page can only hint at. The way to evaluate this bus is in the metal, in the seats, at the wheel and at the table with your Dealer—wish list and sharp pencil in hand. You owe it to yourself, and to riders, drivers, technicians and parents. To the benefit of all, your bus has just arrived.

a legacy of trust For over 80 years, carrying generations of riders over billions of miles, Blue Bird has built a global legacy of trust with schools and other transportation needs worldwide. Recognizing the responsibility this trust confers, we have engineered and built our new All Americans to carry Blue Bird’s tradition of reliability, durability and safety far into the future.

Blue Bird Financial Services provides you with a range of attractive lease and purchase options.

Our expert Parts & Service team draws on one of the industry’s largest inventories of bus parts. We upgrade these parts when we improve the same components for our new buses, helping to improve the Blue Bird buses in your fleet throughout their lifecycle.

Outstanding Blue Bird technical training builds the competence and service of Dealer technicians and your own.

The aLL aMeriCaN (tX3 & gt3) ®

that tRULY LIveS UP tO ItS naMe

Integral drip molding visors

2-piece windshield— easy replacement, greater uptime

Bonded windshield— added safety and strength

High-strength low-alloy steel 1-piece roof bows

Some kids will still miss it. 20-gauge rust-proofed sheet metal

All American special needs options include ADA compliant wheelchair lifts from suppliers including Braun and Ricon.

Dimensionally stable, non-wicking mineral wool insulation

Optional video monitoring lets the driver survey up to four viewpoints at once on one cockpit-mounted, multi-frame monitor.

Larger door—2” taller, 1 1/2” wider

The All American’s highly-legible gauges are at the heart of an ergonomically engineered cockpit that prioritizes information and controls based on their frequency of use.

Windshield—33% larger, 7” higher Riveted 1-piece roof sheets Redesigned ergonomic driver’s area

Larger grille opening— ease of serviceability—more uptime

Squared-up roof profile— more headroom

Shell reinforcement to ensure driver’s safety

Wiper sweep area—89.6% coverage

Is a handy cup holder a small detail? Not to a driver on cold pre-dawn mornings.

Our LED lights are bright, energy-efficient and incredibly long-lasting compared with conventional bulbs.

An optional, premium stainless steel step well is one more reason why Blue Bird buses last so long.

ALL AMERICAN FORWARD ENGINE (TX3 & GT3) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS ®

Capacity

Multiple floor plans available with passenger seating up to 84

Rear Door

43 3/4” wide x 62” high

Transmission

Allison® PTS 2500 Series

Exterior Width

96”

Engine

Cummins® ISB-07, 200-280hp

Interior Width

90 3/4”

Tire Size

10R22.5(G), Goodyear G149

Aisle Width

Varies by floor plan

Alternator

200-Amp Bosch

Skirt Length

19 3/4”

Brakes

Meritor four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with ABS

Suspension

Front: 13,200 lb. 2-leaf parabolic springs; Rear: 17,000 2-stage leaf springs (rating varies by wheelbase)

Steering

TRW THP-60 with 18.2 to 1 ratio

Front Axle

Hendrickson 13,200 lb. capacity

Interior Headroom 78” Overall Height

123” - 126”

Wheelbase

141” / 169” / 190” / 211” /232”

Step Height (f/r)

Varies

Overhang

Front: 94.48” with standard steel bumper Rear: Varies on model sizes

Fuel Tank

60-gallon between the frame rails in rear overhang

Re ar Axle

Meritor 21,000 lb. capacity

Wheel Cut

50°

Entrance Door

32” wide x 81” high/double “full view” electric outward opening

GVWR

Up to 36,200 lb.

ALL AMERICAN Rear ENGINE (TX3 & GT3) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS ®

Capacity

Multiple floor plans available with passenger seating up to 84

Rear Window

55” wide x 22” high

Transmission

Allison® PTS 3000

Exterior Width

96”

Engine

Cummins® ISC-07, 260-300hp

Interior Width

90 3/4”

Tire Size

11R22.5(G), Goodyear G149

Aisle Width

Varies by floor plan

Alternator

200 amp

Skirt Length

19 3/4”

Brakes

Meritor Air brakes 6” Front and 7” Rear (FEA 40070-07)

Suspension

Front: 13,200 lb. 2-leaf parabolic springs; Rear: 19,000 - 21,000 lb. 2-stage leaf springs (rating varies by wheelbase)

Steering

THP-60 with 18.2 to 1 ratio

Front Axle

13,200 lb.

Interior Headroom 78” Overall Height

123” - 126”

Wheelbase

189” / 217” / 245” / 259”/273”

Step Height (f/r)

Varies

Overhang

Front: 94.48” Rear: 121.75”

Fuel Tank

60-gallon between the frame rails

Rear Axle

19,000 - 21,000 lb.

Entrance Door

32” wide x 81” high / double “full view” outward opening

Wheel Cut

50°

GVWR

Up to 36,200 lb.

The Next Generation of blue bird starts now. L earn more at blue - bird . com