The True Cost of Ownership — Why the Low Floor Frontrunner® is the Smarter Choice

When it comes to investing in a transportation solution, the upfront cost is just the tip of the iceberg. The true cost of ownership includes everything from fuel efficiency and maintenance to safety and downtime. At Frontrunner Bus Group, Inc., we believe that every dollar you spend should yield reliable, long-term benefits. Here’s why the Frontrunner®’s low-floor minibusses are not only a smarter investment but also a better choice for your passengers and your bottom line.

1. Fuel Efficiency that Saves You Thousands—Year After Year

Fuel costs represent one of the most significant ongoing expenses for any transportation fleet. The Frontrunner’s innovative design features a lightweight yet high-strength body and chassis structure, allowing it to achieve an impressive 10-14 miles per gallon—up to twice the mileage of comparable cutaway class buses with similar passenger capacity.

Why This Matters: For a typical fleet traveling 30,000 miles annually, switching to the Low Floor Frontrunner could save operators over $5,000 per year in fuel alone. These savings compound quickly, turning what might seem like a higher upfront cost into substantial long-term financial benefits.

Example: If you operate a fleet of just five vehicles, that’s a potential savings of $25,000 per year—enough to reinvest in your business or expand your service offerings.

2. Maintenance That Won’t Break the Bank

Repairs are more than just an inconvenience—they can cripple your budget, especially when it comes to wheelchair lifts. Traditional wheelchair lifts are prone to failure at the worst times, leading to costly repairs and frustrating delays for passengers. The Frontrunner addresses this issue head-on with its virtually indestructible fold-out ramp, which is simpler, more reliable, and far less expensive to maintain.

In Numbers:

• Traditional lift repair: These can cost $2,000–$3,000 per incident.

• Frontrunner ramp maintenance: Minimal, with significantly lower costs and downtime.

Why It’s Better: By reducing both the frequency and cost of repairs, the Frontrunner keeps your vehicles on the road and your maintenance budget under control.

3. Safety Means Savings—Fewer Incidents, Lower Costs

Safety is not just a moral imperative—it’s a financial one. Accidents, injuries, and liability claims can quickly escalate costs and damage your reputation. The Frontrunner’s spacious low-floor design eliminates the need for steep steps, reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls for seniors and other passengers.

The Financial Impact:

• Average cost of a liability claim: $10,000–$30,000 per incident.

• Cost of preventing incidents: Minimal, with Frontrunner’s safer design.

Real-World Scenario: Imagine avoiding even one slip-and-fall claim per year—that’s up to $30,000 in potential savings. Additionally, safer design can lead to lower insurance premiums, saving even more over time.

4. Extended Lifespan — A Smart Long-Term Investment

While a traditional cutaway with steps and a wheelchair lift may come with a lower initial price tag, they historically have short lifespans due to rust, lower-quality materials and higher failure rates for the critical frame, body and components. In contrast, the Frontrunner is built to last with high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials that withstand the rigors of daily use.  The hot dip galvanized chassis is up to 200 times more corrosion resistant than cold rolled steel with environmentally unfriendly undercoating over plywood. The Frontrunner’s patented lightweight composite bus structure sets a new standard for durability and comfort in a cutaway class bus.   

Long-Term Benefits:

• Lower depreciation: Retains value better than comparable models, making the Frontrunner a great vehicle to lease.

• Fewer replacements: Extended service life means fewer costly replacements.

The Bottom Line: Replacing a vehicle prematurely doesn’t just cost more — it disrupts operations and drains resources that could be better spent elsewhere.

5. True Comfort — For Passengers and Your Budget

A cutaway chassis was never designed to carry passengers. Their heavy-duty leaf springs and stiff suspension were designed for box trucks. Making matters worse, wheelchair occupants ride in the rear of the bus and suffer the indignity of being lifted four feet in the air and a poor bouncy ride. Cramped, dated, noisy, rattle prone, and poorly lit interiors are a common complaint of traditional multi-step cutaways, leading to dissatisfied passengers and, ultimately, fewer return customers. The Frontrunner’s spacious, bright interior and easy-to-navigate layout enhance passenger comfort, making it an easy choice for organizations that prioritize rider comfort and satisfaction.  Built from the ground up for people, the difference is significant and undeniable.

Why Comfort Matters Financially: Satisfied passengers are more likely to recommend your service, boosting both customer retention and revenue. Additionally, a comfortable, efficient vehicle reduces loading and unloading times, allowing you to serve more passengers per hour. Studies have shown that loading a wheelchair occupant with a ramp vs. a wheelchair is 6X more efficient.

Customer Feedback: “Our passengers love the extra space and smooth access of the Frontrunner. We’ve seen a noticeable increase in both satisfaction and word-of-mouth referrals,” says a Frontrunner operator in California. "It was perfect! As soon as we could, we bought two more"

6. Lower Total Cost of Ownership — The Numbers Don’t Lie

When you add up all the factors - fuel savings, reduced maintenance, longer lifespan, customer satisfaction, and fewer incidents — the Low Floor Frontrunner’s total cost of ownership is significantly lower than that of traditional cutaways with steps and a wheelchair lift or a cramped van attempting to emulate a low floor. What might seem like a higher initial investment quickly proves to be the more economical choice in the long run.

Cost Breakdown:

• Fuel savings: Up to $5,000 per year per vehicle.

• Maintenance savings: Potential to cut costs by 50% or more.

• Safety-related savings: Thousands in avoided liability claims.

Over a 10-year period, a fleet of five Frontrunner minibuses could save operators more than $250,000 compared to similar models.

7. Invest in the Frontrunner — See the Savings for Yourself

The choice is clear: The Low Floor Frontrunner’s superior design doesn’t just lower costs—it transforms the economics of your fleet management. Investing in a Frontrunner means more than just cutting expenses; it’s about delivering safer, more comfortable, and more reliable service to your passengers.

Ready to see the difference for yourself?

Contact us today to schedule a test drive and discover how the Frontrunner can save you money, mile after mile.

Smart Spending is About More Than the Sticker Price

Choosing the right transportation solution isn’t about spending less—it’s about spending smarter. The Frontrunner’s lower total cost of ownership makes it the clear choice for fleet operators who want to maximize every dollar. From fuel efficiency to safety and passenger comfort, the Frontrunner® is built to save you money—without compromising on quality.

Get in touch today to learn more about how the Frontrunner can transform your fleet’s bottom line!