Complete Shuttle & Church Bus Service in Lakeland, FL
Shuttle and church buses are the backbone of community transportation. From Sunday morning services and midweek programs to airport transfers, assisted living routes, and corporate employee shuttles, these vehicles carry people who depend on safe, on-time arrivals every single day. When your bus is out of service, your organization feels it immediately—missed pickups, canceled routes, and passengers left without a ride.
At Nationwide Haul in Lakeland, FL, we service all major cutaway chassis platforms and bus body configurations used in the shuttle and church bus market. Our ASE-certified technicians bring hands-on experience with the specific powertrains, brake systems, A/C units, and accessibility equipment found on these vehicles. We use 2026 diagnostic technology and factory-level scan tools to pinpoint issues accurately and get your bus back on the road with confidence. Whether you operate a single church van or a fleet of 30-passenger shuttles, we deliver the same level of technical precision and accountability on every work order.
Shuttle Bus Services We Provide
Engine & Drivetrain
Shuttle and church buses run on a range of gasoline and diesel powertrains, and each platform demands specific diagnostic knowledge and tooling. We service the Ford V10 6.8L Triton and Ford 7.3L Godzilla gas engines found in the E-450 and F-550 cutaway chassis—the most common platforms in the shuttle bus segment. Our technicians also handle the Chevy/GMC Vortec 6.0L engine in the 4500 and 5500 series chassis, as well as Ford Power Stroke diesel platforms including the 6.7L used in heavier-duty F-550 builds. For operators running larger capacity shuttles, we service the Freightliner S2C chassis with Cummins B6.7 diesel powertrains. Every engine service includes fuel system diagnostics, cooling system inspection, exhaust system evaluation, and complete transmission service including fluid exchange, shift quality analysis, and torque converter assessment on Allison and Ford TorqShift units.
Brakes & Safety
Shuttle buses carrying passengers in commercial service are held to a higher standard, and the brake system is where that standard matters most. We perform complete hydraulic brake service on cutaway chassis platforms including disc and drum brake inspection, pad and shoe replacement, rotor and drum measurement, master cylinder testing, and brake line integrity checks. For larger chassis equipped with air brake systems, we service compressors, air dryers, brake chambers, slack adjusters, and perform full air system leak-down testing. ABS diagnostics are performed with factory-level scan tools to verify wheel speed sensors, modulator valves, and control module operation. We also service parking brake systems, emergency brake mechanisms, and perform the documentation required for DOT compliance on commercial passenger vehicles. Every brake job includes a road test to verify stopping performance and pedal feel before the bus is returned to service.
A/C & Heating
In Central Florida, a shuttle bus without functioning air conditioning is not just uncomfortable—it can be a liability. Passenger comfort is directly tied to your organization's reputation, and in summer heat that regularly exceeds 95 degrees, a failed A/C system can create a genuinely unsafe environment for elderly passengers, children, and anyone with health considerations. We service both front dash HVAC systems and the rear A/C units that are specific to shuttle bus bodies, including systems manufactured by Carrier Transicold and Thermo King. Our A/C service covers compressor diagnostics and replacement, condenser and evaporator cleaning and repair, refrigerant recovery and recharge, expansion valve and orifice tube service, and blower motor testing. Heating systems receive equal attention: we handle heater core replacement, coolant valve service, and defroster system repair to ensure driver visibility during early morning and rainy-season routes.
Wheelchair Lifts & Accessibility
Many shuttle and church buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and accessibility features that must function reliably every time they are deployed. A malfunctioning lift does not just create an inconvenience—it prevents a passenger from boarding and can put your organization out of ADA compliance. We service wheelchair lifts from Braun, Ricon, and BraunAbility, covering hydraulic pump repair and replacement, platform alignment, interlock switch testing, control system diagnostics, and safety barrier inspection. Our technicians also service ramp systems including manual fold-out and powered ramp mechanisms, as well as wheelchair securement systems including Q'Straint and Sure-Lok tie-down hardware. We verify that all interlock systems are functioning correctly—door interlocks, platform interlocks, and kneeling system controls—so your bus meets the accessibility standards your passengers depend on.
Electrical & Body
Shuttle bus electrical systems extend well beyond the standard automotive circuits found in the chassis. The bus body adds its own layer of complexity with dedicated lighting circuits, door mechanisms, and passenger amenities that all need to work together reliably. We service interior and exterior lighting including LED marker lights, clearance lamps, brake lights, and step well lighting that illuminates the entry for passengers boarding in low-light conditions. Camera systems including backup cameras, interior passenger monitoring cameras, and exterior security cameras are diagnosed and repaired in-house. We also service PA and intercom systems, electronic destination signs, automated door mechanisms including both pneumatic and electric operators, and entry step mechanisms. Charging system diagnostics, battery load testing, and wiring harness repair round out our electrical capabilities for the complete shuttle bus platform.
Brands & Chassis We Service
Our technicians work on shuttle and church buses built on every major chassis and body platform in the market. On the chassis side, we service Ford E-450 and F-550 cutaway platforms, Chevy/GMC 4500 and 5500 (formerly Kodiak/TopKick) series, and Freightliner S2C chassis used for higher-capacity shuttle builds. For bus bodies, we regularly work on units from Glaval Bus (Universal, Entourage, Concorde), Starcraft Bus (Allstar, Starlite, Quest), Turtle Top (Odyssey, Terra Transit, VanTerra), Champion Bus (Challenger, Defender), ElDorado National (Aero Elite, Aero Tech, EZ Rider), and Federal Coach. Whether your organization operates a 12-passenger church van or a 35-passenger commercial shuttle, we have the experience and parts sourcing relationships to keep your vehicle maintained and road-ready.
Why Organizations Choose Nationwide Haul
- ASE-Certified Technicians with specific experience on cutaway chassis shuttle platforms, wheelchair lift systems, and commercial passenger vehicle requirements
- Community-Focused Service — we understand that churches, nonprofits, and assisted living facilities operate on tight budgets, and we provide honest assessments with no unnecessary upsells
- ADA Compliance Expertise — wheelchair lift testing, ramp system service, and securement hardware inspection to keep your bus accessible and compliant
- 2026 Diagnostic Technology for Ford, GM, and Freightliner chassis platforms — factory-level scan tools that communicate with engine ECM, transmission TCM, ABS, and body controller modules
- DOT-Compliant Documentation for commercial passenger vehicles — detailed inspection reports and maintenance records that satisfy regulatory requirements and organizational audits
- Fleet and Multi-Vehicle Scheduling — priority turnaround and coordinated scheduling for organizations that operate multiple buses and cannot afford extended downtime
Bus Breakdown?
A shuttle bus breakdown on the side of the road is more than a mechanical problem—it means passengers stranded, schedules disrupted, and an organization scrambling for a solution. If your shuttle or church bus has broken down on I-4, US-98, or anywhere in the Central Florida area, our roadside assistance team can respond to assess the situation and get you moving. Our mobile technicians carry the diagnostic equipment and common replacement parts needed to perform roadside repairs on cutaway chassis platforms. When a field repair is not possible, we coordinate a safe tow back to our Lakeland facility and communicate directly with your operations team throughout the process so your passengers can be rerouted and your schedule can be adjusted with minimal disruption.