Why don’t people own buses? They are better than limos.

[SoBad]

Or do they? I am curious about the pros and cons of bus ownership. Obviously, one would probably need a commercial license and parking could be a challenge, but there is so much upside.

You can set up an office area in the front, with a desk, satellite internet, etc. Then you have a lounge area in the mid-section of the bus with sofas, TV, music, and a full bar. And in the back you have a bedroom. Separate the three sections with light curtains and you’re all set.

If you get stuck in traffic because of bad weather, you just pull over and work or relax. Call friends and invite them over. Is this a good idea? Discuss.

[sureshs]

You also need a toilet.

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by sureshs

You also need a toilet.

I thought about water and sewerage, and this is where I draw the line in my blueprint. No water, no toilet, no kitchen. In urban areas, where inclement weather can lead to unbearable traffic, there is always a store or a restaurant somewhere around the corner. Fuel and supplies are brought in, and garbage is carried out – that’s it.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by SoBad

I thought about water and sewerage, and this is where I draw the line in my blueprint. No water, no toilet, no kitchen. In urban areas, where inclement weather can lead to unbearable traffic, there is always a store or a restaurant somewhere around the corner. Fuel and supplies are brought in, and garbage is carried out – that’s it.

If you are caught in the middle of stuck traffic, and especially if you are the only one in the vehicle, it is not possible to run anywhere and take a pee. Let alone heavier stuff. I suppose in a bus you have enough space to quickly move around and do "it" in a bag or something, but a toilet is the best.

I think instead of putting useless entertainment equipment in the car like touchscreens and internet connectivity, auto manufacturers should focus on creating a system where a driver can pee while stuck in traffic. Like a hose.

[sureshs]

Have you also figured out the cost of petrol/diesel/natural gas to operate it, the cost of repairs, and where you would park it since most housing developments and rental places will not allow you to park it?

[Shaolin]

Originally Posted by SoBad

Or do they? I am curious about the pros and cons of bus ownership. Obviously, one would probably need a commercial license and parking could be a challenge, but there is so much upside.

You can set up an office area in the front, with a desk, satellite internet, etc. Then you have a lounge area in the mid-section of the bus with sofas, TV, music, and a full bar. And in the back you have a bedroom. Separate the three sections with light curtains and you’re all set.

If you get stuck in traffic because of bad weather, you just pull over and work or relax. Call friends and invite them over. Is this a good idea? Discuss.

A lot of people have these. They're called RVs.

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by sureshs

If you are caught in the middle of stuck traffic, and especially if you are the only one in the vehicle, it is not possible to run anywhere and take a pee. Let alone heavier stuff. I suppose in a bus you have enough space to quickly move around and do "it" in a bag or something, but a toilet is the best.

I think instead of putting useless entertainment equipment in the car like touchscreens and internet connectivity, auto manufacturers should focus on creating a system where a driver can pee while stuck in traffic. Like a hose.

The “heavier stuff” can wait for a while. As for the light stuff, a simple door in the floor would suffice for emergencies. I just feel that water and sewerage systems would add a huge new layer of complexity to the project.

As for the portable car wastewater systems you mention, I understand that those products are readily available. I’ve heard that they have been rather popular around Bangkok for some years now because of the unbearable traffic jams.

[ollinger]

People do own buses. Many entertainers have them to tour on, seems a requirement if you're a country/western singer that you travel in a fabulously furbished bus. John Madden, the famously acrophobic football announcer, only traveled in a bus Greyhound provided him as cheap advertising.

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Have you also figured out the cost of petrol/diesel/natural gas to operate it, the cost of repairs, and where you would park it since most housing developments and rental places will not allow you to park it?

I mentioned parking as a downside in my original post and I do realise that fuel, luibricants, and maintenance costs could be substantial. I started this discussion to get a better idea of the costs and other issues to consider. What is already becoming clear to me is that the biggest expense would be a full-time driver to take care of the driving and the maintenance.

[bad_call]

these were popular back in the day....

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by Shaolin

A lot of people have these. They're called RVs.

I am vaguely familiar with the RV/trailer concept. This is different - more space, no water, no sewerage, no kitchen.

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by ollinger

People do own buses. Many entertainers have them to tour on, seems a requirement if you're a country/western singer that you travel in a fabulously furbished bus. John Madden, the famously acrophobic football announcer, only traveled in a bus Greyhound provided him as cheap advertising.

I have heard of party buses. U.S. is a large country with good roads, so it makes sense for an entertainer to tour on a bus. I guess when I said “people” what I really meant was “ordinary people” (who can afford to pay 60K or so for a bus up front and take care of the ongoing expenses).

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by bad_call

these were popular back in the day....

I want a solid Queen or King size bed in the back of the bus.

[El Diablo]

A guy from Jamaica, Queens wants to know why we're not all driving buses. Where you parking yours? In the LIRR yard?

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by SoBad

I mentioned parking as a downside in my original post and I do realise that fuel, luibricants, and maintenance costs could be substantial. I started this discussion to get a better idea of the costs and other issues to consider. What is already becoming clear to me is that the biggest expense would be a full-time driver to take care of the driving and the maintenance.

Human drivers are unsafe and expensive. I would like a automated driver system installed with all the cameras and software like the Google car.

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Human drivers are unsafe and expensive. I would like a automated driver system installed with all the cameras and software like the Google car.

The responsibilities in this position extend far beyond the mere bus navigation. This intelligent, highly skilled, loyal, and exceptionally motivated young man from Central Asia would also be responsible for bus maintenance, security, housekeeping, and other incidental tasks. I do agree that, no matter how illegal, the driver would cost more than a computer application.

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by El Diablo

A guy from Jamaica, Queens wants to know why we're not all driving buses. Where you parking yours? In the LIRR yard?

I guess parking is the major issue then, since we keep coming back to the topic. How about we let the driver deal with parking? I guess cost is the only issue at this point...

[r2473]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl9bvuAV-Ao

Every day I get in the queue (Too much, the Magic Bus)
To get on the bus that takes me to you (Too much, the Magic Bus)
I'm so nervous, I just sit and smile (Too much, the Magic Bus)
Your house is only another mile (Too much, the Magic Bus)
Thank you, driver, for getting me here (Too much, the Magic Bus)
You'll be an inspector, have no fear (Too much, the Magic Bus)
I don't want to cause no fuss (Too much, the Magic Bus)
But can I buy your Magic Bus? (Too much, the Magic Bus)
Nooooooooo!

I don't care how much I pay (Too much, the Magic Bus)
I wanna drive my bus to my baby each day (Too much, the Magic Bus)
*[Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus
Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus
Give me a hundred (Magic Bus)
I won't take under (Magic Bus)
Goes like thunder (Magic Bus)
It's a bus-age wonder (Magic Bus)

Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus
I want it, I want it, I want it...(You can't have it!)
Think how much you'll save...(You can't have it!)]
I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it ... (You can't have it!)

Thruppence and sixpence every day
Just to drive to my baby
Thruppence and sixpence each day
'Cause I drive my baby every way

Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus...
I want the Magic Bus, I want the Magic Bus, I want the Magic Bus...

I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (Too much, the Magic Bus)
I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (Too much, the Magic Bus)
I drive my baby every way (Too much, the Magic Bus)
Each time I go a different way (Too much, the Magic Bus)
I want it, i want it, I want it, I want it ...

Every day you'll see the dust (Too much, the Magic Bus)
As I drive my baby in my Magic Bus (Too much, the Magic Bus)

[ninman]

In the UK there are about 30 million cars on the road. We already have serious problems with congestion. Think about the logistics of having 30 million buses on the road.

[MAXXply]

In the early 80's, the Trapper John character from M*A*S*H had his own spin-off show where he was a doctor who lived out of a Winnebago or something like that, in the hospital carpark. I thought that was pretty cool. Also Billy Batson, who would turn into superhero Captain Marvel (Shazam!), travelled aimlessly through (presumably) Southern California in a Winnebago also.

I'd be happy with a modern-day-but-still-clunky Brazilian built VW Kombi with all the gear (soon to stop production)