I run this biz and i can have a word or two on the business.
1. have a manager if you cannot run it yourself.
2. trust nobody...they are all out to eat your cake.
3. go to it if you must, otherwise, please invest that cash in other altenatives.

for more..........lennyirungu@yahoo.com

@Ali i have a 3.3 lorry, the business has been all time low through this year & am certainly sure if i sell the vehicle i'll divert the funds to other unplanned investments.Am of the idea of converting the 3.3 to probably 29 seater mini bus & ply eastleigh route. Kindly advice

Hi Guys!
This is my forst post though i have been a guest for the past few years. i am in the process of buying a mini bus that will be franchised to MOA by name of Compliant. Anyone done this before, what is the reputation of Compliant.
Thanks!

If you can, try get yourself a 51 seater bus.

@Kingfisher, does double M take in franchisees? I thought it is strictly a family business.

Hi Jingles,

I have a buddy who took his bus to Compliant last week. He is comfortable with MOA Compliant as they are small and don't have as much stress as the likes of City Shuttle.

In the case of the latter, they were insisting that his bus be painted with a particular shade of blue and yellow. And you have to buy it from a particular shop which was of course selling the paint expensively compared to a kawa shop. He immediately smelled a rat in this arrangement and thus walked out of a City Shuttle deal.

Also, have you decided where you would like to manufacture the bus...or been advised as to where it will be made?

He also learnt that the big bus body manufacturers (e.g LSHS, Banbros ) are now building all buses uniformly (i.e. a standardised model). You need to figure out if that's what you want especially for a route where being unique is key.

My friend opted to have a small manufacturer built for him a bus with a unique design and is really pleased with the reception (and business)he has received so far.

Cheers!

Jingles,

You could say that the decision to opt for Compliant MOA by trial and error. His view was that if a company has issues like colour even before the bus is operating, he hated to imagine how they would be later i.e. with collections and accounting for the expenses. After all, they are no or less the same i.e. in how they operate.

FYI, my buddy has a 33 seater.

As for the cost, he told me that it really depends on what features you are seeking to have in the bus. When you have a moment, do call the body builder on this number - 0717 331 509.

Regards

The major tricks in this biz is management and rate of wear & tear (delibarate). I always wonder @ an over 1M investment being operated by reckless and or drunken crews, tis scary.

you best read this first...fast!

http://www.standardmedia...0040064&cid=658&

@zip, how much did the body cost? What are the other costs one has to incur before the vehicle is on the road? I know one needs to pay TLB and inspection, but what else and how much should I set aside apart for route entry fees?

let me email you.