Imagine you are running a busy fleet schedule, with low-floor buses traveling to remote areas or picking up passengers at a residence for a day trip, when one call from maintenance brings everything to a halt. A bus is down, routes are disrupted, and carefully planned operations are suddenly at risk.
In moments like these, having the right partner matters. You need a team with extensive experience servicing low-floor buses, one that understands the vehicle, diagnoses the issue quickly, and completes repairs correctly the first time. That confidence comes from experience.
Nationwide service and maintenance support for low-floor buses
Low-floor buses were first introduced in Canada in 2010, with early adoption led by transit companies in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. These provinces were among the first to recognize the need for improved accessibility, faster boarding, and a better passenger experience, prompting a shift away from traditional high-floor bus designs.
As awareness around accessible transit grew and legislation, funding programs, and transit standards evolved, provinces across Canada followed suit. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, low-floor buses had become the preferred choice for new transit bus procurements nationwide. Today, low-floor buses represent an estimated 25 percent or more of conventional transit buses operating on Canadian roads, with many transit companies running 100 percent low-floor bus fleets.
Crestline’s low-floor bus expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Over the years, we have sold more than 1,500 low-floor buses to customers across Canada, supporting everything from transit and shuttle operations to specialized fleets. That experience has earned customer trust through strong product knowledge and dependable service support, a standard we are proud to uphold and continue to deliver, now and into the future.
Our experience in the low-floor segment is further strengthened by our partnership with ARBOC, one of the most trusted names in mid-size low-floor buses. ARBOC works with Crestline because we share the same commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, and because we choose our manufacturing partners carefully.
Because of that trust, Crestline holds sole rights to deliver ARBOC low-floor buses across Canada, except for two provinces. Crestline has also been recognized as ARBOC’s Premier Dealership for 16 consecutive years, reflecting consistent performance and the confidence customers place in our team.
“We have been in partnership with Crestline since 2009 and have developed a strong relationship rooted in their deep understanding of our product. We fully trust their organization to carefully handle any maintenance issues that may arise and appreciate knowing that our mutual customers are in good hands and are operating a product that is safe and reliable.”
– Troy Snyder, Vice President & General Manager of ARBOC, Specialty Vehicles
Your go-to specialist for low-floor bus service and maintenance
Low-floor buses such as ARBOC have unique systems and accessibility features that require a different approach to maintenance than high-floor buses. Components such as wheelchair ramps, securement systems, and ARBOC’s proprietary multiplex technology demand specialized knowledge and attention. Crestline technicians receive hands-on training directly at ARBOC facilities, including dedicated time focused on product knowledge, system programming, diagnostics, multiplex updates, troubleshooting, and accident repairs based on OEM layouts.
This training ensures our specialists understand ARBOC vehicles in detail and apply the level of care needed to keep low-floor buses operating smoothly and performing as intended, just as they did when they left the OEM production line.
Crestline carries a large inventory of ARBOC parts to support low-floor bus service and maintenance. Currently, more than 1,000 ARBOC parts are available to order directly through Crestline, helping reduce lead times and keep buses on the road. In addition, Crestline stocks and supplies ARBOC-related parts from trusted vendors such as Velvac, Rosco Mirrors, InterMotive, Spheros, TransAir, MorRyde, and other key suppliers.
We carry critical parts such as console switches and actuators. For example, the tactile rocker portion that the driver uses to activate bus functions, and electric entry door motors for both 36-inch and 40-inch doors. These items are essential in keeping a bus on the road and in revenue service; they play a direct role in fleet reliability and passenger convenience by ensuring doors operate smoothly and reliably. These parts address issues like faulty and erratic door operation, which can prevent a bus from providing a safe and smooth service. Our ready availability of these essential parts helps you keep your fleet on the road.
Crestline works closely with ARBOC to ensure service and maintenance are performed accurately and in line with manufacturer standards. Through dedicated training and ongoing knowledge transfer, our technicians maintain a deep understanding of ARBOC bus systems and stay current as the platform evolves.
Our team of bus experts provides comprehensive service and maintenance support for low-floor buses, including air conditioning and heating systems, suspension, lighting, wheelchair ramps, and passenger seating repairs and adjustments.
Our technicians understand that low floor buses have different requirements than other bus types. They know what to look for, how to properly service critical systems, and how to ensure every vehicle meets the correct standards before returning to service. The result is a safe, reliable bus that returns to operation with minimal downtime and no recurring issues.
Supporting every ARBOC low-floor bus on Canadian roads
Since 1975, Crestline has supported Canadian bus operators in keeping people moving. That commitment goes far beyond the initial purchase. It extends across the entire lifecycle of the vehicle. A bus down is a bus down, no matter where it was purchased. No operator should be left stranded, especially the passengers who rely on safe, dependable transportation every day.
“Back in August of last year, we had an issue with a warrantable transmission on a para bus that we purchased through our dealership. I was trying to source a parking brake cable for one of the ARBOC units we have. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a solution after multiple emails and phone calls to our dealer. Luckily, Chris Manuel, the Regional Sales Manager at Crestline Coach got involved. He was able to provide me with pricing and availability for the cable and I had it on order the same day. Chris went above and beyond to try and get the problem resolved, even though he didn’t have to. I didn’t hear back from our dealer until about a week later, so I am glad Chris could help me. Since that initial contact with Chris, he has been able to help us out of a few jams here at Sault Transit. Whenever I need a part for an ARBOC bus, I can email Chris and I know that him or someone on his team will get back to me quickly. It’s always nice to have someone that will go above and beyond for you.”
Robin Giard, Service and Customer Experience Manager at Demers/Crestline confirmed this, saying that:
“The main issue was that the customer’s dealer was not returning their calls, and when they did respond, they quoted a six-week delay for a brake line, which is a standard component. On our end, I contacted the supplier directly to discuss the situation and apply pressure. By doing that, we were able to get the part much faster and ensure there was a proper follow-up throughout the process. At the end of the day, we work for our customers as if the bus were our own. We do not settle for simple answers. We work as true partners to find the best possible solution.”
That is why Crestline supports all ARBOC low-floor buses on the road, not only those originally purchased through our network. Operators can rely on Crestline’s expertise for scheduled maintenance, troubleshooting, and emergency repairs. With ARBOC parts stocked in Canada, mobile technicians deployed nationwide, and teams who know these vehicles inside and out, Crestline is ready to keep any ARBOC bus operating safely and reliably. Service is not a gatekeeper. It is how long-term partnerships begin.
