One of the typical characteristics of a bus and coach fleet is that of needing to periodically refresh the vehicles within it. The change in vehicles is not only from a cosmetic point, but also because of the changes in technology that will need to be implemented to keep up with DOT compliance which can be managed through resources such as Lytx. Buses and coaches will still need to be used, but they must adhere to the new ways of being on the road and pass any tests that will make sure they can operate.

As such, whether you are considering expansion or simply replacing some ageing vehicles you already have, the subject of bus and coach finance is likely to be one that is close to your heart.

In what follows, we will look at some of the things you may benefit from when applying for new or revised bus and coach finance deals.

Your business metrics

There are typically a number of potential routes open to you when trying to finance this type of vehicle. These may include things such as hire purchase, lease financing options and so on.

Whichever option you select as being the most suitable for your given business requirements, certain things are likely to be needed when approaching potential providers of funds:

• you may need to produce your audited or certified company accounts going back perhaps 2-3 years. This is usually required in order to give potential lenders some indication of the financial standing of your company;

• a business plan. The interpretation of what this means may vary from one case to another. Broadly speaking though, it is your way of demonstrating why the vehicles are required and how they will benefit your organisation over a specified period of time. It can sometimes be beneficial to have this plan prepared by an independent third party, in order to avoid it being perceived as biased or overly-optimistic.

It is worth remembering that not having a credible business plan in place is often cited as being one of the commonest causes of failing to secure funding. If preparing a business plan is not really your forte, be prepared to pay someone to assist – as touched on above;

• depending upon the status of both your company and yourself as its owner, you may need to meet certain credit history scoring criteria. In today’s business world this is entirely normal practice and a few credit history glitches on your records are unlikely to be a showstopper.

Consultation

The sums involved when seeking bus and coach finance are likely to be significant. This will be particularly true if you are considering buying more than one vehicle.

Bus and coach finance is, by definition, a complex and specialised area. The differences between various potential providers of funds, in terms of their services and ultimately their charges, can be substantial.

It’s typically a good idea to try and get the advice and guidance of a specialist in this area rather than to simply trawl the market looking for organisations that may be willing to assist through lending.

When you decide to formally apply for such finance, approaching an organisation that is likely to be receptive is very important.

Summary

When you are seeking substantial sums for bus and coach finance, the right sort of preparation is usually critical.

The good news is that there are organisations out there that are willing to invest in propositions that make sense to them.