Mini Buses

Buying a used mini bus starts with passenger count, GVWR, route needs, and driver licensing.

Best fit: Churches, daycares, camps, senior programs, and small shuttles.
Budget: Often $12,000-$35,000 depending on chassis, lift, mileage, and year.
Check: GVWR, passenger rating, ADA lift operation, floor condition, and CDL fit.

Need help choosing? Compare sizes, body styles, CDL thresholds, and buyer use cases after the listings. View the decision guide

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4 Units 2019 Ford F-450SD DSL 14P ADA

836909

2019 Ford F-450SD Turbo Diesel 14-Passenger ADA Accessible Shuttle Bus with only 60,000 miles. There are 4 matching units available now and ready to ship. These units have upgraded interior seating, seat belts, arm rests, overhead storage, bike racks, TV monitors, tinted glass, power entry doors and more. These units were recently retired from a retirement community and are ready to go back to work. They are perfect buses for any community, fleet operator or business interested in providing ADA accessible shuttle bus transportation.

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Mileage 60000

Passengers 14

Year 2019

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2017 Ford E-450 Starcraft 14P

39215

Discover the reliable and versatile 2017 Ford Starcraft E-350 Super Duty 25 Passenger Bus, expertly designed to accommodate up to 14 passengers comfortably. With only 25,206 miles on the odometer, this well-maintained vehicle offers exceptional durability and performance, making it an ideal choice for fleet operators and transportation providers seeking a cost-effective solution. The robust Ford E-350 chassis ensures a smooth and powerful ride, while the Starcraft body delivers spacious seating and practical interior layout. Although not ADA compliant, this bus is perfect for shuttle services, corporate transport, and group travel where accessibility requirements are not mandatory. Its low mileage and solid build quality translate into reduced maintenance costs and extended service life, providing excellent value for your investment. Upgrade your fleet today with this dependable and efficient passenger bus that balances comfort, capacity, and operational economy.

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Mileage 25206

Passengers 14

Year 2017

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2007 Ford E-350 Starcraft 14P

46757

2007 Ford E-350 Starcraft 14-Passenger Shuttle Bus with only 73,000 miles. This bus has high-back premium seating, overhead storage, a rear door, seat belts, arm rests, rear air conditioning and more. This is a one owner bus that was bought new by a church in TX and has been used in TX since. Every service record since new is available. The bus runs and drives well now and has no warning lights on. The front a/c is cold but needs a rear compressor. Perfect for any church, community transport, retirement village or any fleet operator looking to provide shuttle bus transport.

$19,900

Mileage 73000

Passengers 14

Year 2007

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2021 Ford E350 4X4 ADA Shuttle

24806

This 2021 Ford E-350 4WD ADA Accessible 14-Passenger Shuttle Bus is powered by the 7.3L V8 gasoline engine. It has a Braun wheel chair lift, front and rear air, hand rails, seat belts and more. With its robust design and spacious seating, this versatile vehicle is perfect for any company looking for an ADA wheelchair lift equipped shuttle bus with four wheel drive capability.

$50,000

Mileage 117000

Passengers 14

Year 2021

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2014 Chevrolet G3500 Girardin ADA Shuttle Bus

20469

This 2014 Chevrolet Girardin is a versatile mini bus designed for 13 passengers and one wheelchair. Equipped with standard safety features like 3-point seat belts and hydraulic brakes, it is a reliable option for transportation needs, making it an excellent choice for those searching for buses for sale. With low mileage of only 19k miles, this bus is ready for just about any journey.

$36,575

Mileage 19016

Passengers 13

Year 2014

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2017 Ford E-450 ADA Shuttle Van

20090

The 2017 Ford E-450 12 passenger ADA accessible shuttle bus is a versatile and spacious option designed to accommodate up to 12 passengers plus 4 wheel chair positions. It offers dual air conditioning and heat for optimal comfort, along with excellent quality seats. Whether for a small shuttle service or family trips, this vehicle is a reliable choice for those seeking used buses for sale.

$33,000

Mileage 140000

Passengers 12

Year 2017

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2017 Ford E-450 14P ADA

951392

2017 Ford E-450 14-Passenger ADA wheel chair accessible Shuttle Bus with a gasoline engine, front and rear air conditioning, 5 wheel chair positions, RICON wheel chair lift, tinted glass, seat belt grab rails and more. Multiple matching units are available for any fleet operator, school campus, church or institution who needs more than one vehicle like this.

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Mileage 160778

Passengers 14

Year 2017

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2017 Chevrolet 4500 Arboc 14P ADA

33784

2017 Chevrolet Express 4500 15 Passenger ADA Accessible Arboc shuttle featuring a V8 gasoline engine, automatic transmission, ADA accessible ramp at passenger entry, kneeling feature, dash and rear air conditioning, cloth seats with seat belts and more. This bus is perfect for assisted living facilities, senior transport, churches, fleet operators, and more.

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Mileage 65000

Passengers 14

Year 2017

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2015 Ford MicroBird 14P

31295

2015 Ford MicroBird 14-Passenger Mini School Bus with only 27,000 miles. This bus has front and rear air conditioning, a power entry door, tinted glass, audio system and more. This is an excellent bus for any public school, private school, daycare center or anyone looking for student transport options.

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Mileage 27000

Passengers 14

Year 2015

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Which Mini Bus Is Right for You?

Mini buses cover more use cases than any other bus category on the lot. Whether you're spending the congregation's budget or sourcing transport for drop-off morning, your right fit depends on passenger count, driver licensing, and whether you need ADA access. Here's how the main buyer types stack up.

Mini bus buyer-fit matrix by use case
Buyer Type	Recommended Size	Typical Budget (Used)	Key Consideration
Church / nonprofit	Small to mid (8–20 passengers)	$8,000 – $22,000	Non-CDL operability is critical — stay under 26,001 lbs GVWR and 15 passengers to avoid CDL requirement. Low mileage and clean interior matter for congregation perception.
Daycare / school	Small to mid (8–20 passengers)	$10,000 – $25,000	Parents judge the vehicle on drop-off morning — prioritize clean presentation, seatbelts, and visible safety features. Confirm your state's child transport licensing rules before purchase.
Camps / youth programs	Mid to large mini (15–30 passengers)	$12,000 – $30,000	Durability over aesthetics — expect rough road use and frequent loading. Storage capacity and seating flexibility matter more than interior finish. Confirm CDL requirement above 15 passengers.
Senior transport	Mid (14–20 passengers), low-floor preferred	$15,000 – $35,000	ADA lift or low-floor boarding is often required — budget an additional $5,000–$12,000 for a factory-installed wheelchair lift if not already equipped. Kneeling suspension and Q'Straint securement systems add usability for mobility-impaired riders.
ADA / accessibility operator	Mid to large mini (14–30 passengers), lift-equipped	$18,000 – $40,000	Confirm lift capacity (600 lb minimum for power chairs), securement track count, and ADA compliance with your funding source requirements. Low-floor transit-style bodies reduce lift travel and improve boarding speed.

Mini Bus Capacity and Specifications

Mini buses don't follow a federal type classification the way school buses do — your sizing is defined by passenger count and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR — the maximum safe loaded weight). The GVWR you choose determines whether your driver needs a CDL, which affects your entire operating model.

Mini bus size classes: capacity, length, GVWR, CDL requirement, and used price range
Size Class	Passenger Capacity	Typical Length	GVWR Class	CDL Required?	Used Price Range
Small mini bus	8 – 14 passengers	18 – 22 ft	Under 14,500 lbs (Class 4–5)	No CDL required in most states	$8,000 – $20,000
Mid-size mini bus	15 – 20 passengers	22 – 28 ft	14,501 – 26,000 lbs (Class 5–6)	CDL Class B required above 26,000 lbs GVWR — verify by vehicle	$12,000 – $28,000
Large mini bus	21 – 30 passengers	28 – 35 ft	Over 26,000 lbs (Class 6–7)	CDL Class B + P endorsement required	$18,000 – $40,000

CDL rules vary by state and by whether you're transporting passengers for compensation. Confirm requirements with your state DMV before purchase. ADA-equipped units in any size class may add $5,000–$12,000 to your budget.

Mini Bus Body Styles Explained

Cutaway / Van-Conversion on Ford E450 or E350 Chassis. The most common mini bus you'll find in used inventory. A bus body is bolted to a Ford E450 (up to 14,500 lbs GVWR) or E350 (up to 11,500 lbs GVWR) cutaway chassis — the cab is kept, and the rear is replaced by a purpose-built passenger compartment. You get 8–14 seats, a manageable footprint, and non-CDL operation in most configurations. The Ford chassis means parts are widely available and mechanics are easy to find in almost any market.

Best for: churches needing Sunday transport, daycares running daily pickup routes, and small camp programs. ADA lift kits are available as factory or aftermarket options on both E450 and E350 platforms — confirm lift capacity and securement before you buy a pre-equipped unit.

Body-on-Chassis (Conventional Mini Bus). A heavier-duty option where a full bus body is mounted on a medium-duty truck chassis — typically Chevrolet 4500/5500, Ford F-550, or similar Class 5–6 platforms. You get 15–30 seats and a more substantial structure than a cutaway, with better noise isolation and a longer service life under heavy use. GVWR commonly runs 19,000–26,000 lbs, which straddles the CDL threshold — verify the specific vehicle before you assume non-CDL operation. Starcraft and Champion produce the majority of used inventory in this class.

Best for: camp programs running rougher routes, senior transport operators who need durability, and corporate shuttle fleets with high annual mileage. ADA lift options are standard across most body-on-chassis builders — look for Q'Straint or Sure-Lok securement tracks and a 600 lb minimum lift capacity for power wheelchairs.

Low-Floor / Transit-Style Mini Bus. Transit-style mini buses use a flat floor with minimal or no step entry — the same boarding profile as a city bus. The floor sits 6–12 inches lower than a conventional body-on-chassis unit, which reduces lift travel distance and speeds up boarding for wheelchair users and ambulatory seniors. You'll find these less often in used inventory than cutaways or body-on-chassis units, but availability is growing as municipal fleets retire recent-generation vehicles.

Best for: ADA and senior transport operators where boarding speed and accessibility compliance are your primary requirements. If your operation receives federal or state funding, low-floor transit-style bodies often satisfy ADA requirements more cleanly than lift-equipped van conversions. See the ADA-compliant bus buying guide for lift specification and securement requirements before you purchase.

Popular Mini Bus Makes

Most used mini buses you'll find in this category are built on a Ford E450 or E350 cutaway chassis by body builders including Glaval, Starcraft, Champion, and ElDorado. When you're evaluating a specific unit, search by the body builder name alongside the chassis — parts and service follow the Ford chassis, while interior components and structural history follow the body builder.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a used mini bus cost?

Used mini bus prices range from $8,000 for older small cutaways to $40,000 for late-model, low-mileage large-mini units with ADA lifts. If you're targeting a well-maintained 14-passenger Ford E450 cutaway in the 100,000–150,000 mile range, expect to pay $12,000–$20,000. ADA-equipped units in any size class add $5,000– $12,000 to your budget for the lift system alone.

Do I need a CDL to drive a mini bus?

Not necessarily. If your mini bus has a GVWR under 26,001 lbs and carries 15 or fewer passengers, most states don't require a CDL — making the Ford E450 cutaway class the practical choice for non-CDL operators. Above either threshold, you'll need a CDL Class B with a Passenger (P) endorsement. Always confirm with your state DMV, as rules for compensated transport vary by state.

Can a mini bus be equipped with a wheelchair lift?

Yes — most body-on-chassis and low-floor mini buses support factory or aftermarket ADA lift installations. Look for a lift rated at a minimum 600 lb capacity (required for most power wheelchairs), Q'Straint or Sure-Lok securement tracks, and adequate floor space for the securement position. Buying a pre-equipped unit is almost always cheaper than retrofitting — expect $8,000–$15,000 for a new lift installation.

Is diesel or gas better for a mini bus?

Diesel is the better choice if you're running high annual mileage — better fuel economy, longer engine life, and higher resale value. Gas (typically Ford E450 / E350 with a 7.3L or 6.8L V10) costs less upfront and is cheaper to service in markets without diesel mechanics. If your operation runs 10,000–20,000 miles annually — typical for a church or daycare — a gas cutaway is usually the more practical buy.

How long does a mini bus last?

A well-maintained gas mini bus on a Ford E450 chassis typically runs 150,000–200,000 miles before major drivetrain work. Diesel body-on-chassis units regularly reach 250,000–300,000 miles. Body and interior condition often determines retirement before the powertrain does — inspect floors, roof seams, and lift mechanisms (if equipped) as carefully as you inspect the engine.

What's the difference between a mini bus and a passenger van?

A passenger van (Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster) seats 8–15 in a unibody vehicle with car-like ride and handling — no CDL required, lower purchase price, but limited durability under daily use. A mini bus uses a purpose-built bus body on a truck chassis: more durable, more serviceable, and better suited to multiple daily cycles. If you're running more than occasional group transport, the mini bus holds up significantly better over time.

Ready to Find Your Mini Bus?

Browse the full inventory of used mini buses available now — filtered by passenger capacity, state, price, and ADA configuration.

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Mini Buses

Which Mini Bus Is Right for You?

Mini Bus Capacity and Specifications

Mini Bus Body Styles Explained

Popular Mini Bus Makes

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a used mini bus cost?

Do I need a CDL to drive a mini bus?

Can a mini bus be equipped with a wheelchair lift?

Is diesel or gas better for a mini bus?

How long does a mini bus last?

What's the difference between a mini bus and a passenger van?

Ready to Find Your Mini Bus?