School bus question

[Harry P.]

Years ago, school buses were yellow all over. Over the past few years I've noticed that almost all of them now have their roofs painted white.

Since this happened just within the last several years, I assume it's some sort of technology-related reason? Something to do with GPS, maybe?

Anyone know?

[Daddyfink]

I was under the impression it was done to reflect sunlight and thus keeping the interiors cooler. But I could be wrong.

[george 53]

Probably makes them easier to see from the sky.More for the cops i think

[gtx6970]

I was under the impression it was done to reflect sunlight and thus keeping the interiors cooler. But I could be wrong.

This is my understanding as well.

[Dr. Cranky]

And they are supposed to have a number tag on the roof too! Maybe it's only a Hollywood thing.

[sjordan2]

Winner, winner! (The duck comes down and gives you $100).

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070929210420AABKWXO

[Harry P.]

Thanks, Skip.

But white roofs would also have reflected the heat many years ago. They just figured that out now???

[Psychographic]

I used to sublet a spot in a bus yard, the owner had me paint all the roofs white for him. Yes, it is to keep them cooler in the summer.

[Lunajammer]

But white roofs would also have reflected the heat many years ago. They just figured that out now???

Yeah, but many years ago coping skills were much better. Kids just sucked it up and parents weren't as high strung about creature comforts.

[Erik Smith]

What about in the winter?

[Guest Johnny]

Thanks, Skip.

But white roofs would also have reflected the heat many years ago. They just figured that out now???

They have used the white roofs in the west and south west for decades.

[Harry P.]

What about in the winter?

School buses have heat, I guess they don't have AC.

[Bartster]

Apparently, global warming makes school buses hotter inside ?!

[Guest Johnny]

called a friend who works at a place that sells school busses.

He said as far as he knows they all come from the factory that way now!

Said every new bus for the last two years that has come through their shop has had a white roof.

[Danno]

They have used the white roofs in the west and south west for decades.

Correct. And, yes, it is to reflect the sun and keep the interior cooler.

School buses have heat, I guess they don't have AC.

Also correct.

[Danno]

Yeah, but many years ago coping skills were much better. Kids just sucked it up and parents weren't as high strung about creature comforts.

[Danno]

Apparently, global warming makes school buses hotter inside ?!

Wrong!

See Harry's post above. Airconditioning costs more, thus reducing the amount of school funds that can be skimmed for conventions and "retreats" by school administrators.

[Kaleb]

All in all its just a cheaper way to get them out the door.

[Roadkill2525]

The RE and long conventional buses don't have A/C but all have heaters, all of FSUSD's wheelchair buses do have A/C because some of the special needs students can't be the heat for long.

As for the white roofs, they don't to squat. When you've got a packed bus full of warm bodies, your only relief will come from all the windows being down.

[Harry P.]

The RE and long conventional buses don't have A/C but all have heaters, all of FSUSD's wheelchair buses do have A/C because some of the special needs students can't be the heat for long.

As for the white roofs, they don't to squat. When you've got a packed bus full of warm bodies, your only relief will come from all the windows being down.

Yeah, white isn't all that far from yellow. Probably more of a theoretical thing than a practical thing.

[Guest Johnny]

I was told once by a retired AZ State Trooper that the main reason for the white roof was a broken down or missing school buses yellow color blended in with the desert too good so they painted the roofs white so they would be more easily spotted from the air.

Seemed to make sense to me.

I'd say for reflecting the sun to cut back on heat was more a second thought thing that is now being used to make people think it helps more than it really does. Though it has to help some along with the tinted windows they all seem to be having now.

[Danno]

I was told once by a retired AZ State Trooper that the main reason for the white roof was a broken down or missing school buses yellow color blended in with the desert too good so they painted the roofs white so they would be more easily spotted from the air.

Seemed to make sense to me.

I'd say for reflecting the sun to cut back on heat was more a second thought thing that is now being used to make people think it helps more than it really does. Though it has to help some along with the tinted windows they all seem to be having now.

That's another advantage. But not the initial concept. If that was the original idea, school buses in Colorado (and Northern Arizona) would have black roofs!

Chicken and egg.

[Guest Johnny]

When I was in grade school here (in IL.) ours did have black roofs now that you mention that. At that time they were Internationals and the hoods were also black which the drivers blamed for the buses overheating at the beginning of the school year.(August)

[Danno]

When I was in grade school here (in IL.) ours did have black roofs now that you mention that. At that time they were Internationals and the hoods were also black which the drivers blamed for the buses overheating at the beginning of the school year.(August)

[Guest G Holding]

Head south...Ga and FL use A/C on busses and tinted windows, white roofs, and closed windows.

White roof and strobe beacon on roof are to locate buses easily

Edited January 11, 2013 by G Holding