School Bus Sales Recover in 2025
Get the scoop on North American 2025 school bus sales totals, plus a historical look over the last 10 years for comparison. This report is sponsored by First Light Safety Products.
After a slight decline in 2024, the school bus market saw modest gains in 2025.
Photo: School Bus Fleet
How did school bus sales trend this year? We collected the data for you!
After a 2% dip in overall sales last year, in 2025, the trend reversed. Looking at the historical trend, we’re still not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but we are on track with 2015.
Here's what else we found.
School bus production delays from last year resolved this year, and we gained back the lost 2% in 2024. Type As dropped in popularity, Ds dropped even more, and Cs grew in demand.
Photo: School Bus Fleet
North American School Bus Sales by Type
Sales Year | Type A | Type C | Type D | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 7,608 | 29,486 | 3,831 | 40,925 |
2017 | 7,997 | 32,141 | 4,251 | 44,389 |
2018 | 8,319 | 31,505 | 4,557 | 44,381 |
2019 | 9,718 | 31,876 | 3,727 | 45,321 |
2020 | 7,200 | 25,980 | 3,024 | 36,204 |
2021 | 5,386 | 22,845 | 1,494 | 30,582 |
2022 | 7,193 | 30,656 | 2,707 | 40,556 |
2023 | 10,412 | 28,076 | 2,725 | 41,241 |
2024 | 8,808 | 28,236 | 3,153 | 40,287 |
2025 | 8,449 | 30,287 | 2,305 | 41,041 |
Change | -4% | +7% | -27% | +2% |
U.S. sales slightly increased from last year, with Type Ds plummeting in popularity. Over the past decade, transit-style school buses have experienced extreme fluctuations.
Diesel still makes up the bulk of North American fleets, but gasoline and alt-fuels are gaining ground.
Photo: School Bus Fleet
As usual, Type C bus sales dominated, representing almost three-quarters of total sales. Type As were on par with last year, and Type Ds slightly dropped.
Photo: School Bus Fleet
Get more industry information and statistics — including the full U.S. vs. Canada sales breakdown — in School Bus Fleet's 2026 Fact Book.
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