We bought old school bus on eBay & transformed it into family travel wagon – it has bunk beds, fridge & washing machine
A FAMILY have hit the road after buying and transforming an old school bus bought on eBay.
Travelling with their two daughters, a couple from Newcastle have swapped their restaurant business for life on the go.
Lotti Harrison, 29, and Ty Burns, 37, sold the business to snap up a £25k classic American school bus on eBay.
Having always dreamed of travelling in a van, Ty spotted the 11-metre long school bus listing in August 2024.
The couple knew they had to go for it and Ty renovated the bus by himself for the next six months.
They fitted their new family travel wagon with bunk beds, a full-sized fridge, washing machine and king-sized bed.
It’s even kitted out with noise-proof acoustic panelling to help with noise levels as well as underfloor heating, air-con and a log burner.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Lotti said: “It’s very fancy, it’s a luxury bus – we haven’t scrimped on this.
“We wanted it to be as comfortable for us and the girls as possible.”
They then sold their restaurant business and ended the tenancy for their four-bed, three-storey town house.
The couple kept essentials and sentimental items but sold off the majority of their furniture and possessions with Lotti saying “it felt so good to get rid of stuff.”
They then set off on their travels last month for Belgium before making their way through Luxembourg, France and Italy.
Their next stops are Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia before they travel through Albania, Montenegro and Serbia.
The route back to the UK will see them pass through Greece, Italy and France.
They hope to use their savings to fund their travels for a year before deciding whether to continue upon their return.
Although not without its challenges, highlights so far have included Disneyland Paris and cycling around Lake Annecy in France.
Lotti said: “We’ve never been that 9 to 5 vibe – but ever since having the girls we realised how quickly time goes.
“We wanted to spend as much time now together as a family and watch them grow up.
“Sending them to a nursery didn’t seem right to us.
“If we didn’t do it now, we’d probably never do it.”
The couple always dreamed of travelling and even bought a bus they saw on the side of the road for £500 six years ago.
But their plans were put on hold after realising the bus was “knackered”.
Lotti added: “Since having the girls the reality was a bit more tricky.”
But Ty then spotted the school bus on eBay and the couple decided to go for it.
Their two daughters are loving life on the road, according to Lotti.
She said: “The girls have taken to it so well.
“Waking up in a different place is so exciting for them.”
They also love that they can stay in a place if they fancy or move on if the weather is “rubbish”.
There have been fans along the way too with everyone “in awe” and “beeping their horns”.
Lotti said: “We can’t go anywhere without being papped”.
The mum of two also hopes to inspire others to travel and encourages others to get out of their “comfort zone”.
She said: “There’s a whole world out there.”
Lotti and Ty aren’t the only ones to have their home on the road either.
Earlier this year a couple bought a double-decker bus on eBay to transform it into a flat on wheels after being unable to afford a house.
Eventually, the bus will come complete with underfloor heating, a full-sized bedroom and lounge.
