School bus sales in North America increased 4.4% in 2014 compared to 2013, School Bus Fleet research has found.

Sales in the North American school bus market (U.S. and Canada combined) have increased for the past three years in a row.

In the 2014 sales year (Nov. 1, 2013, to Oct. 31, 2014) there was a total of 37,663 school buses sold, up from 36,073 in 2013.

The market has experienced a steady recovery since 2011, when it had dropped to 25,061 units after five years in a row of declining sales.

In 2014, Type C school buses, also known as conventionals, accounted for 70% of the sales, with 26,491 units. Type A/B, or small buses, were 20% of the sales. The other 10% were Type D, also known as transit style.

Looking just at the U.S., school bus sales rose in all categories except Type D. Overall, there was an increase in the U.S. market of 8.4% in 2014 compared to 2013.

In Canada, school bus sales were down in all categories in the 2014 sales year, with an overall decrease of 22.3%.

A detailed school bus sales report will appear in the forthcoming 2015 School Bus Fleet Fact Book.