'Big enough to live in:' Former METRO bus listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A peculiar listing on Facebook Marketplace could soon breathe new life into a once-busy commuter vehicle.

The listing has a photo of a former METRO bus in an open field, with the message sign above the windshield reading "TO GARAGE."

The caption says, "It's big enough to live in...firm price drop." The listing, first posted on March 12, was originally priced at $4,500 but was reduced to $2,800.

"If I had the extra money, I'd buy it myself," said Julius Jones, who's selling the bus jointly with a friend. "I'd fix it up, make a house out of it, not pay rent anymore."

The north Harris County software developer said his friend first bought the bus at auction in 2017. He then sold it to another man who eventually returned it, convinced that the bus had broken up his marriage.

"Spending too much time renovating this thing, ended up getting a divorce, and because of the bus, he ended up saying, Hey man, I don't want it anymore,'" said Jones.

Many can't help but notice how similar the bus looks to active METRO buses.

While the METRO logo has been removed, you can still see the outline of the letters, and the distinctive blue-and-red diagonal stripes remain intact.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, METRO said it is aware of the listing and that the vehicle is a 2002 New Flyer bus that was retired from service at auction on the website Public Surplus.

"When buses are decommissioned, METRO removes all onboard equipment and identifying information, including bus numbers and most exterior decals, before the vehicle is disposed of in accordance with federal requirements," METRO said. "In some cases, larger exterior graphics may remain if they cannot be fully removed at the time of disposal. Retired buses are first offered through public auction. If a vehicle does not sell, it is typically sold for scrap."

In 2014, a Texas City plumbing company made headlines when one of its former trucks ended up in the hands of ISIS fighters overseas. The company later sued the car dealership to which it sold the truck for failing to remove its decal.

When Eyewitness News pressed METRO on why the distinctive METRO paintwork wasn't removed from the decommissioned bus, METRO sent another statement.

"METRO procedure requires that all bus numbers and logos be removed prior to a vehicle being sold at auction. Based on what we've seen, the bus in question does not have METRO branding or an official bus number."

Yet Eyewitness News found a different bus being sold on Public Surplus that still displays the METRO logo.

As far as Jones' bus goes, the seats have been removed, and the batteries need to be replaced, but he said the engine is still in good shape.

In the six days he's had it listed on Facebook Marketplace, he said he's already gotten 7,000 inquiries.

"My computer has been binging. Bing. I'm sleeping, and I hear it go off. Bing, bing, and I know it's Facebook," Jones said.

If there are any interested buyers, Jones said the title is included.