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Buying a Used Japanese Bus
Japanese buses have earned a reputation for their ease of use, comfort, reliability, and affordable pricing. These, together with a wealth of varying sizes and customization options, have made them favorites for transportation industries across the world. If your business is looking to acquire an affordable addition to its vehicle fleet, be sure to read through our guide to used Japanese buses.
Types of Buses
At BE FORWARD, we offer several different types of Japanese buses that are suited to meet the unique needs of your business.
Intercity Tourist Coaches
Offered either as a single or double-decker layout, intercity tourist coaches are typically large-sized buses that seat anywhere from 29 to over 40 passengers, and see usage as a shuttle for large numbers over long distances between cities. Tourist coaches also often have high floors and a luggage compartment that is separate from the passenger compartment.
Transit and City Buses
Transit and city buses are normally driven along fixed routes and are equipped with folding doors and a low step for ease of access.
Minibuses and Commuters
Minibuses and commuters are compact and maneuverable. Typically able to seat anywhere from eight all the way up to 30 passengers, they are ideal for ferrying smaller groups of people locally or over long distances.
Midibuses
Midibuses are a step up in size from minibuses and commuters but smaller than full-sized buses, making them a lightweight and economical choice as your transportation needs grow.
Kids School Buses
Kids school buses are single-decker buses that are designed with smaller seat dimensions for smaller passengers, making them ideal for comfortably transporting children to and from school.
Japanese Bus Manufacturers
Toyota Buses
With a history of automobile manufacturing dating back to 1937 and a wealth of industry expertise accumulated over numerous decades in performance and safety, Toyota delivers reliable and functional buses that are hard to beat. One of the manufacturer's longest-running bus models is the single-decker minibus called the Coaster, which was introduced in 1969 and is currently in its fourth generation (launched in 2017).
BE FORWARD's list of in-stock Toyota buses also includes the HiAce Commuter and HiAce Wagon that bridge the gap between vans and minibuses, offering many of the same features and layout as the Toyota HiAce Van series but with extended cabins for greater passenger-ferrying capability.
Nissan Buses
In the domestic Japanese market, the Nissan Civilian minibus is primarily available as an intercity transport for private businesses, with options like seating for children and wheelchair accessibility on some models.
Besides the Civilian, BE FORWARD's Space Runner buses, heavy-duty Space Arrow coaches, mid-size tourist Silvia coaches, and the Caravan minibus, which can seat up to 10 in most variations.
Mitsubishi Buses
One of the longest heritages of commercial vehicle manufacturing in Japan belongs to Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, or Mitsubishi Fuso for short. The manufacturer released its first bus, the B46, in 1932. Today, one of Mitsubishi's longest-running bus models is the Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa minibus. The Rosa comes in various sizes with a capacity to easily seat 9 to 37 passengers depending on its generation, body length, and layout configuration.
For heavier hauling, BE FORWARD's list of in-stock Mitsubishi Fuso buses include a range of Aero series touring coaches and city buses - Aero Ace, Aero Midi, Aero Star - as well as the Mitsubishi Fuso Emeroad.
Hino Buses
A subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation since 1966, Hino Motors has specialized in producing heavy commercial vehicles ever since its beginnings as Hino Heavy Industries in 1942 and Hino Diesel Industry Co. in 1948. Hino's flagship tourist coach is the S'elega, offering a range of luxury options produced through a partnership with Isuzu. The high-deck S'elega can be found cruising down Japanese highways as a coach bus comfortably shuttling passengers between cities.
Also available through BE FORWARD are the Hino Liesse and the Liesse II minibuses, the latter of which is a rebrand of the Toyota Coaster. Apart from the S'elega, larger intercity options include the Melpha tourist coach, while Hino's city transit offerings include the Rainbow bus.
Isuzu Buses
Rounding out our list of Japan's top bus manufacturers is none other than Isuzu. The company's primary focus on commercial diesel-powered vehicles led to the production of the popular single-decker Isuzu Journey minibus, which was originally based off on the manufacturer's popular Elf truck. The most recent Journey models, beginning with W40, have been sold as rebadged Nissan Civilian buses.
Isuzu has also collaborated with Hino Motors to release the large Isuzu Gala coach and the Isuzu Erga, which is mainly used as a city transit bus.
What to Consider when Buying a Used Bus
Capacity
When adding a bus to your fleet, it is important to consider your business's future transportation needs. While buses are designed to serve a specific purpose, such as intercity travel or public transit, there are many options available for seating capacity within each of these bus types.
It could make economic sense to purchase a larger capacity bus than what your current needs require if you foresee an increase in the number of passengers that you will be transporting. However, if you don't foresee your passenger capacity growing, bigger buses are not always better, because they require larger engines that consume fuel more quickly."
Accessibility
It is also important to take into account the different possible needs of your passengers. Children are better off being ferried in a bus that is designed to fit their smaller size, while passengers with disabilities may require a bus that is handicap-accessible.
Warranty Coverage
Reputable used vehicle dealers are more likely to ensure that the Japanese bus you buy is in the best possible condition by offering a comprehensive warranty to provide you the assurance that any damage, mechanical problems, or missing items not stated in the vehicle's description will be covered.
Here at BE FORWARD, we stock well-maintained, used buses in great condition and back them with our optional warranty coverage. Don't take a chance on your next used Japanese bus purchase - shop our large selection of Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hino, and Isuzu buses!
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