Blue Bird Vision
| Blue Bird Vision | |
|---|---|
| |
| Years of manufacture | 2003 to present |
| Length | 24'1" to 41'7" |
| Width | 96 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel, CNG, gasoline, LPG, electric |
The Blue Bird Vision is a high floor type-C school bus and successor to the Blue Bird CV200. The Vision was launched in 2003 and uses Blue Bird's first dedicated type-C school bus chassis.
Design
The Vision boasts optimal safety particularly in the area of driver visibility. This is achieved with a sloping hood and the Safety View™ Vision Panel which is a window with a wide-angled lens under the windscreen at the door side. The body uses 14-guage steel posts and one-piece roof bows. Exterior side sheet metal is 20 gauge galvanized steel with fluting, and roofing is one piece steel between window sections.
The Vision was launched as a diesel-power bus. The Caterpillar C7 engine was standard with the Cummins ISB engine becoming an option later. The first alternative fuel option was propane, launched at the 2006 National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference and Trade Show in Kansas City, Missouri. The propane-powered vision used CleanFUEL USA’s Liquid Propane Injection System (LPI) with the the General Motors 8.1L Vortec engine.[1]
Also at the 2006 NAPT show, Blue Bird introduced their 2008-model Vision. The hood received a more sleek, smooth design with a larger grill. Inside, the 2008-model Vision received a new instrument panel and new steering column w/ E-Z adjust peddle. An electric-operated service door joined the options for a manual or air-powered service door.
Blue Bird announced the next generation propane powered Vision in July 2011. It boasts more power and a larger fuel tank. The fuel system is supplied by ROUSH CleanTech and the engine is supplied by Ford. In addition, the Ford TorqShift transmission is used.
At the 2013 School Transportation News Expo, Blue Bird itroduced enhancements for the 2015-model Vision. The headlights and turn signals are now behind a single, clear lens; improving visibility and serviceability. LED clearance lights became standard. An improved seatbelt system and mirror setup were also included. For propane-powered Vision buses, an option for a 98 gallon fuel take became available.[2]
Blue Bird introduced Bendix electronic stability control on their Vision and All American at the end of 2014. The anti-lock brake system-based stability technology uses a series of sensors that measure driver intent and vehicle direction to improve driving through automatic interventions such as de-throttling the engine or applying the brakes.[3] Electronic stability control was made standard in 2019.
Blue Bird launched their gasoline-powered Vision, using a Ford drivetrain, at the 2015 School Transportation News Expo in Reno, Nevada.[4] Building further on the ROUSH CleanTech-Ford partnership, Blue Bird introduced a natural gas-powered Vision in 2016.[5]
At the end of 2016, Blue Bird received a $4.4 million grant from the Department of Energy to develop an electric-powered school bus with full Vehicle to Grid (V2G) functionality. At the 2017 National Association for Pupil Transportation Trade Show, Blue Bird unveiled a battery-electric-powered version of their Vision. The electric powertrain is supplied by ADOMANI, with drivetrain and vehicle control software developed and produced by Efficient Drivetrains (owned by Cummins as of 2018). The bus can travel up to 100 to 120 miles on a full charge. The 150 kWh batteries can be recharged in under eight hours by utilizing a SAE J1772 Type 2 charger.[6] By 2020, Blue Bird advertised the battery capacity as 155 kWh and the range as 130 miles.[7]
Blue Bird unveiled their 2022-model Vision in January 2021. For propane and gasoline powered buses, the new Ford 7.3 litre V8 is used. The propane Vision uses ROUSH CleanTech’s improved Gen 5 fuel system. In addition, the propane and gasoline Vision feature a new routing of the wiring and fuel lines. They are now centered between the frame rails. The 2022 Vision sports a new grill with different openings and dynamic look.[8]
In August 2022, Blue Bird announced their certified electric repower program on select gasoline- and propane-powered Blue Bird Vision school buses built after September 2021. The program is in collaboration with Lightning eMotors.The electric powertrain system will allow for several 100kWh to 225kWh battery configurations supporting a projected vehicle range of up to 150 miles on a single charge. The full repower process could be completed within 30 days from vehicle delivery to the authorized conversion center.[9]
For the 2025 model year Blue Bird became the only Type C bus manufacturer to offer propane and gasoline engines, with the discontinuance of those type of engines at IC Bus for its CE Series product.
-
Exterior design from 2003 to 2008. -
Exterior design from 2008 to 2013. -
Exterior design from 2013 to 2022. -
Propane powered Vision.
Specifications
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Body Length: 289" to 499" | ||
| Width: 96" | ||
| Height | Availability | |
| 120" to 123" | Up to 2013 | |
| 121" to 128" | 2013 onward | |
| Wheelbase: 169" (169" added in 2015), 189", 217", 238", 252", 273" or 280" (280" added in 2010) | ||
| GVWR: | Availability | |
| Up to 31,000 lb | Up to 2013 | |
| Up to 33,000 | 2013 onward | |
| Engine | Emissions | Availability |
| Caterpillar C7 I6, 7.2L, 210 to 230 hp | EPA 2004 & 2007 | 2004 to 2008 |
| Cummins B6.7 I6, 6.7L, 200 to 260 hp | GHG17 | 2017 onward |
| Cummins ISB I6, 6.7L, 200 to 240 hp | EPA 2007 | 2007 to 2010 |
| Cummins ISB6.7 I6, 6.7L, 200 to 260 hp | EPA 2010 & 2013 | 2010 to 2017 |
| Cummins ISV5.0 V8, 5.0L, 220 hp | EPA 2013 | 2016 to 2017 |
| Cummins V5.0 V8, 5.0L, 220 hp | GHG17 | 2017 onward |
| Ford Godzilla V8, 7.3L, 350 hp | Gasoline, 2021 onward | |
| Ford Godzilla V8, 7.3L, 350 hp (w/ Roush CleanTech Gen 5 fuel system) | Propane, 2021 onward | |
| Ford Modular V10, 6.8L, 320 or 362 hp | Propane, 2011 to 2021 | |
| Ford Modular V10, 6.8L, 269 hp | CNG, 2016 to 2021 | |
| Ford Modular V10, 6.8L, 320 hp | Gasoline, 2016 to 2021 | |
| GM Vortec V8, 8.1L with LPI (Liquid Propane Injection) System 325 hp | Propane, 2007 to 2011 | |
| Transmission | Availability | |
| Allison 2300 PTS, 5- or 6-speed automatic | GM engine; 2007 to 2011 | |
| Allison 2500 PTS, 5- or 6-speed automatic | ||
| Allison 3000 PTS, 5- or 6-speed automatic | 2010 onward | |
| Allison 2000, 5-speed automatic | No longer offered | |
| Eaton Procision EDCO-6F107A, 7-speed automatic | 2017 to 2019 | |
| Ford 6R140, 6-speed automatic | Ford engine(s), 2011 onward | |
| Electric propulsion | Availability | |
| Cummins PowerDrive 7000 EV with TM4 SUMO electric motor | 2017 onward | |
| Front suspension | Availability | |
| 8,000 lb parabolic springs | For Cummins | |
| 8,000 - 10,000 lb. springs | For Ford | |
| 12,000 lb | For Caterpillar | |
| Rear suspension | Availability | |
| 17,000 - 21,000 lb. 2-stage leaf springs | For Cummins or Ford | |
| 21,000 lb | For Caterpillar | |
| Tires | ||
| 11R22.5(G) | ||
| Capacity | ||
| 48-78 Passengers | ||
Demonstrator/engineering units
| Fleet number | Thumbnail | Year | VIN | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2011 | 1BAKGC5H6BF281638 | Ford Triton V10 6.8L propane | Ford TorqShift automatic |
| ||
| May 2015 | 1BAKGCBA4GF319060 | Ford Triton V10 6.8L gasoline | Ford TorqShift automatic |
|
Operators
Blue Bird Vision buses are used by thousands of school districts across the U.S. and Canada, in addition to these private operators:
Canada 
- Academia Bus Company - Vancouver BC
- Autobus Auger (Groupe Autobus Auger) - Saint-Romuald, QC
- Autobus Brissette - Berthierville, QC
- Autobus Maheux - Rouyn-Noranda, QC
- Baie Transport - Gatineau, QC
- Beauce Autobus (Groupe Autobus Auger) - Beauceville, QC
- Briggs Bus Lines (now part of FirstGroup) - Edmonton, AB
- Cardinal Coach Lines (now part of FirstGroup) - Calgary, AB
- Coach Canada
- Conseil intermunicipal de transport des Laurentides (SURF) - Laurentides, QC
- Cunningham Transport Limited - St. Albert, AB
- Express Lotbinière - MRC Lotbinière, Quebec
- Golden Arrow School Buses - Edmonton, AB
- Intercar - Québec, QC
- L'Express d'Oka - Deux-Montagnes RCM, Quebec
- MRC D'Autray - D'Autray RCM, QC
- Parkinson Coach Lines - Brampton, ON
- Southland Transportation
- Calgary, AB
- Medicine Hat, AB
- Sharp Bus Lines - Brantford, ON
- Stock Transportation
- Thirdwave Bus Services - Vancouver, BC
- Transport Miller Madore - L'Ange-Gardien/Buckingham, QC
- Transport Roch & Fils - Sainte-Élisabeth, QC
United States 
- Atlantic Express - Staten Island, NY
- Educational Bus Transportation - Suffolk County, NY
- Suffolk Transportation Service - Suffolk County, NY
References
- Blue Bird Vision Product Information
- Blue Bird Vision spec sheet (diesel)
- Blue Bird Vision spec sheet (propane)
- ↑ Blue Bird Corporation Unveils Propane Powered School Bus. 01 December 2006. Press release. Blue Bird Corporation.
- ↑ Blue Bird Unveils 2015 Model Year Product Enhancement at the School Transportation News Expo. 23 July 2013. Blue Bird.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Blue Bird Unveils New Gasoline-Powered Type C Vision School Bus. 28 July 2015. Press release. Blue Bird Corporation.
- ↑ Blue Bird reveals 3 new powertrains for 2016. 11 November 2015. School Bus Fleet.
- ↑ Blue Bird Unveils All-New, Electric-Powered Type C School Bus at NAPT Conference. Press release. 07 November 2017.
- ↑ Blue Bird Vision Electric specification sheet. Blue Bird, July 2020.
- ↑ "Blue Bird to Begin Production of Updated Propane and Gasoline Buses with All-New and Exclusive Ford 7.3L V8 Engine." Press release. Blue Bird, 19 January 2021.
- ↑ "Blue Bird to Offer Electric Repower Option for Gasoline- and Propane-Powered School Buses". Press release. 03 August 2022.