Blue Bird CV200
| Blue Bird CV200 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Years of manufacture | 1992 to 2003 |
| Length | |
| Width | 96 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel, Gasoline, Natural gas |
| |
The Blue Bird CV200 was a type-C school bus available in Canada and the United States. In 1992 General Motors (GM) signed an exclusive supply agreement with Blue Bird. They would be the only body manufacturer allowed to build on the new B-Series (B-7) chassis and would also be responsible for all distribution and service. The resulting pairing was named the CV200.
Toward the end of production, GM was interested in updating their medium-duty truck and working with Blue Bird to update their school bus chassis. Ultimately, Blue Bird did not feel the new chassis design was optimal, and the CV200 was discontinued along with GM's B-7 chassis. Around the same time, Ford was interested in developing a type-C school bus chassis with Blue Bird. In 2001, they introduced a prototype at the National Association for Pupil Transportation trade show. In the end, Blue Bird designed their own chassis and launched the Vision in 2003.[1]
Specifications
| Engine |
|---|
| Caterpillar 3116 6.6L, 170, 185 or 200 hp (diesel) |
| Caterpillar 3126B 6.6L, 175 or 207 hp(diesel) |
| GM 366 6.0L, 300 to 325 hp V8 (gasoline) |
| GM 454 7.4L, 210 or 270 hp V8 (gasoline) |
| Gasoline engines could be converted to CNG or LNG operation |
| Transmission |
| Allison AT-545 |
| Allison MT-643 |
| Allison 2000 Series |
| Fuller 5 speed manual |
| Fuller 6 speed manual |
| Suspension |
| Parabolic taperleaf springs |
Operators
Canada 
- Academia Bus Company - Vancouver, BC
- Briggs Bus Lines (FirstGroup plc) - Edmonton, AB
- Cardinal Coach Lines (FirstGroup plc) - Calgary, AB
- Cunningham Transport Limited - Edmonton, AB
- Edmonton Christian School - Edmonton, AB
- Golden Arrow School Buses - Edmonton, AB
- Red Arrow Student Transportation Services (now Southland Transportation) - Edmonton, AB
- Southland Transportation - Calgary, AB
- Thirdwave Bus Services - Vancouver, BC
- Willco Transportation Ltd. - Calgary, AB
United States 
- Atlantic Express - Staten Island, NY
- Educational Bus Transportation - Suffolk County, NY
- Suffolk Transportation Service - Suffolk County, NY
References
- ↑ Q&A: Blue Bird Seeks to Improve Cost Position, Supplier Security. 01 February 2003. School Bus Fleet.
- Blue Bird CV200 Page (1999) Retrieved on 17-12-08
- Personal notes & sightings