Obama and the Big Black Bus

[Dave]

Actually, I think the buses are a great idea... I just wanted to have a little fun with Obama and the buses.. lol. The buses cost about $1.1 million each after being fitted with after market electronic and security items. Had the buses been purchased for the sole use of Obama and paid for by the tax payers for his sole use then I'd take issue with the purchase... being that the buses will be used by not only Obama but by GOP candidates next year and by who ever is serving in the White House after the election I think the buses are a good investment. Specially considering that you can't always get Air Force One into every airport. I've been on several Prevost buses over the years via my travels with a few rock bands here and there and they are typically pretty nice buses. I miss those days, would love to get back on the road again... if I ever won the lotto, one of the first things I'd like to buy is a nice traveling coach.

 

ALPHA, Ill. — President Obama arrived at this bucolic spot for a town hall meeting Wednesday afternoon in his new, $1.1 million sleek black bus, an imposing vehicle with mixed U.S. and Canadian heritage.

A charge by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus that Obama is running “around in his Canadian bus” is not accurate because it does not tell the whole story.

The new bus — a road version of Air Force One — was retrofitted by Hemphil Brothers Coach Company in Nashville, Tenn., with the basic heavy duty shell purchased from Prevost, a divison of The Volvo group, a manufacturer of touring coaches with its corporate headquarters in Sainte-Claire, Quebec.

Prevost has a variety of U.S. operations, including a U.S. central order desk in Elgin. In the U.S., Prevost also has parts and service centers in New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Tennesse and California.

Ed Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service, the agency ordering the bus, told me in a telephone interview that Prevost was selected because the model was the only one “to our knowledge that had the payload capacity, (to) handle the weight of the equipment we were going to put on it.”

Hemphill Brothers used U.S. contractors and parts, Donovan said, for the security and communications equipment and other items on the two buses the agency purchased.

“Everything that is retrofitted was done in the U.S.,” he said.

The heavy duty motorcoach model was selected “based on our requirements to provide the most protection for the people who are going to use it.”

One of the ironies in the Republican complaints: The buses will probably be used for roadtrips by the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, who will be under the protection of the Secret Service.  

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/7131871-452/obamas-bus-part-us-p...

[Sweater Cows!]

That's not a bad price. I want a coach to travel in too.

 

I mean they could have bought an old school bus for $1500 and done it up.  (that's sarcasm)

[Dave]

Something like this? lol

[Willy]

I disagree that these buses are needed. We are head over heals in debt and this fool buys a 1 million dollar set of wheels. I'm sure a U.S. company could have been found who would have provided this bus for Obama. Doesn't GM build buses in Flint.

[Sweater Cows!]

I believe provost is pretty much the main company that builds these kinds of busses, generally we see provost at most music events enough that no other brand comes to mind when I think about what I would want if I were to have one. Overall I would say a mil to travel versus flying everywhere or running multiple armored vehicles(motorcade from town to town) is probably more financially sound and more wise as far as security is concerned.

[Sweater Cows!]

Wouldn't it be neat if they had a little street racer car that could drop out from under the bus (ala Knight rider/National lampoons/Fast& Furious) a nice tuned up little 4 cyl that the prez could cruise away in if the bus were attacked...hmm...maybe they do!

[Dave]

You are correct Lando, a majority of the newer buses/coaches that you will see most musicians travel in are Prevost buses. On occasion you might see buses by the name of Eagle as well but those are generally the older buses. I've been on my share of both brands and the Prevost always seem to be nicer.