School Bus Sales See Another Increase in 2017

North American school bus sales have grown for the sixth year in a row, School Bus Fleet research has found.

In the 2017 sales year (Nov. 1, 2016, to Oct. 31, 2017), a total of 44,389 new school buses were purchased in the U.S. and Canada. That’s up 8.5% from the 2016 total of 40,925 units.

This year’s tally of 44,389 school buses sold is the highest mark for the industry in more than 10 years.

Nearly three-fourths (72%) of the school buses sold in 2017 were Type Cs, which are also known as conventionals. Type As (small school buses) accounted for 18%, and the other 10% were Type Ds (transit-style school buses).

Looking just at the U.S., school bus sales rose for all types (A, C, and D). The U.S. total of 39,790 units sold in 2017 was an increase of 9.8% compared to 2016.

In Canada, school bus sales took a slight dip in the 2017 sales year. The Canadian total of 4,599 units sold was down 1.8% from 2016.

More school bus sales data and other pupil transportation statistics will be published in School Bus Fleet’s upcoming 2018 Fact Book.