Keeping school buses running reliably in 2026 is about far more than turning wrenches. We asked around school bus shops across North America to share these results that reveal a growing squeeze on operations as technicians and managers struggle to keep pace with demand, budget, and daily needs.

TLDR: Top Takeaways from This Year’s Maintenance Survey

• Cost pressure has overtaken parts availability as the top maintenance challenge, followed closely by emissions and electrical components. This shift could signal that inflation, the complexity of technology, and compliance are weighing heavier on shops these days.
• Type C buses are unsurprisingly the majority of school vehicles on the road, with Type A buses and vans/SUVs also widely used. Yet, OEM diversification increased this year, with our highest number maintaining five or more makes.
• Diesel still dominates, but every fuel type saw increased use this year. Gasoline jumped a notable 42% year over year!
• The average age of yellow buses dipped below nine years for the second year in a row. The modest increase from 2025 may indicate fleets are balancing replacement with budget realities rather than accelerating purchases. This coincides with buying intent: More fleets have plans to buy new soon, aligning with the trend of younger fleets.
• Administrative disconnect is compounding maintenance challenges. One respondent expressed district leadership that seemingly believes that buses last forever, technology never changes, and electronics and emissions are easy. This leaves shop staff under-supported where it matters most.
• Staffing shortages are forcing alternative maintenance models. Shops with no in-house techs often have to rely on mobile mechanics, contracted labor, or dealership support (and cost) when things go wrong.
• The training and resource gap is real. Multiple respondents noted the desire for access to technical information or service bulletins, while another suggested public-speaking development for maintenance staff to present to others with more confident in front of people instead of under buses.
• Other respondents noted ongoing quality control issues on new buses and the constant budget squeeze on transportation departments.

Note: All data was compiled and averaged from qualified survey respondents representing transportation directors and fleet managers at public school districts and contractors in North America in January 2026.

To see your voice represented in these results next year, watch for announcements about 2027 survey dates and share your insight to help us identify challenges, opportunities, and accurately report on the state of school bus maintenance.

More School Bus Maintenance Stats & Trends

Average school bus retirement age

• Small (Type A/B): 13 years
• Large (Type C/D): 14.5 years

Average annual miles per bus: 2,587,058

Average number of maintenance bays per shop: 4.5

Percentage of school bus techs who are women or non-binary: 1.7%

Watch for the full results in our March 2026 print issue!