What should I look at in a school bus company’s bus garage and fuelling area?

Take the visit slowly. Check how many buses the building holds, whether they park indoors in winter, and whether there is room to move them without a shunting dance every morning. Look at the floor, the drains, the lighting and the ventilation. A tidy bay with tools in their places usually reflects how maintenance is done.

Then look at the fuel. Ask where it is stored, how deliveries are recorded and how the business knows how much each bus uses. Ask when tanks and lines were last assessed, and who handled that. A mechanical or environmental adviser can look at the site with you, and your lawyer can tell you what to ask about the land and any past spills.

Finally, ask about the ownership of the place. Is it owned by the company, the seller personally or a landlord? What does the lease allow, and for how long? If the site is not part of the sale, see where else the buses could be kept before you commit.

Key takeaways

• Bring a mechanic and walk the garage while buses are being serviced.
• Ask who owns the land, building and fuel tanks, and what any lease allows.
• Ask your lawyer and an environmental adviser about the history of the site.
• Check winter parking, turning room and lighting, which show up in daily operations.