Editor's Analysis: Despite Uncertainties, School Bus Market Poised for Robust Future
School Bus Sales Dip 2% in 2024
Get the scoop on North American 2024 school bus sales totals, plus a historical look over the last 10 years for comparison. This report is sponsored by First Light Safety Products.
December 10, 2024
Photo: SBF/Canva
1 min to read
How did school bus sales trend this year compared to previous periods? Get the data right here!
School Bus Fleet gathered sales stats from each school bus OEM to provide you with a snapshot of the industry. Here's what we found.
While total bus sales are down just 2% due to early-year production issues, type D sales rose the most — the highest number of transit-style school buses since COVID. Type As dropped in popularity, and Cs remained steady as usual.
Source: School Bus Fleet
North American School Bus Sales by Type
| Sales Year | Type A | Type C | Type D | Total |
| 2015 | 7,506 | 28,340 | 4,344 | 40,190 |
| 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 |
| Change | -15% | +1% | +16% | -2% |
U.S. sales remained largely similar to last year, with the exception of transit-style Type Ds that saw the most notable increase.
Source: School Bus Fleet
U.S. School Bus Sales by Type
| Sales Year | Type A | Type C | Type D | Total |
| 2015 | 6,560 | 24,830 | 4,103 | 35,493 |
| 2016 | 6,699 | 25,796 | 3,746 | 36,241 |
| 2017 | 6,966 | 28,667 | 4,157 | 39,790 |
| 2018 | 7,216 | 27,986 | 4,490 | 39,692 |
| 2019 | 8,242 | 28,787 | 3,685 | 40,714 |
| 2020 | 6,206 | 23,229 | 2,946 | 32,381 |
| 2021 | 4,872 | 20,321 | 1,460 | 26,653 |
| 2022 | 6,777 | 28,238 | 2,673 | 37,688 |
| 2023 | 7,070 | 26,158 | 2,695 | 35,951 |
| 2024 | 7,160 | 25,779 | 2,996 | 35,935 |
| Change | +1.3% | -1.4% | +11% | -0.1% |
Historically, bus sales trends in Canada have been volatile. This year, Type Ds saw a small swell, as Type As had a notable drop.
Source: School Bus Fleet
Canada School Bus Sales by Type
| Sales Year | Type A | Type C | Type D | Total |
| 2015 | 946 | 3,510 | 241 | 4,697 |
| 2016 | 909 | 3,690 | 85 | 4,684 |
| 2017 | 1,031 | 3,474 | 94 | 4,599 |
| 2018 | 1,103 | 3,519 | 67 | 4,689 |
| 2019 | 1,476 | 3,089 | 42 | 4,607 |
| 2020 | 994 | 2,751 | 78 | 3,823 |
| 2021 | 514 | 2,524 | 34 | 3,072 |
| 2022 | 416 | 2,418 | 34 | 2,868 |
| 2023 | 3,342 | 1,918 | 30 | 5,290 |
| 2024 | 1,648 | 2,657 | 47 | 4,352 |
| Change | -51% | +39% | +57% | -18% |
As usual, conventional Type C bus sales dominated, representing more than two-thirds of total sales. Type As fell a bit, with Type Ds slowly gaining popularity.
Source: School Bus Fleet
Get more industry information and statistics in School Bus Fleet's 2025 Fact Book, available in full Dec. 18, 2024.
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