Data compiled from all seven school bus manufacturers as well as Type A chassis makers Ford and GM show that the industry continues a growth trend after bottoming out four years ago following the recession.
School bus production grew for the third consecutive year, rising to a total of 39,053 units manufactured during the period of Nov. 1, 2013 through Oct. 31 of this year. The figure was a 5-percent increase from the 37,173 school buses reported a year ago in the annual School Transportation News Buyers Guide.
The 39,053 total school bus count was the most since the 2009-2010 production year, when the OEMs reported a total of 40,670. This year’s figure was also the second highest in the past eight years.
Type C conventional school buses led the way with 27,071 units, or more than 69 percent of all new vehicles that entered the market.
Small Type A school buses also rebounded slightly with 8,320 total units, up from 7,845 the year before but about 1,000 more units than reported in both 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
Type D transit-style buses were the only category to dip, down to 3,662 from a previous 4,098.
Read more in the upcoming STN Buyer’s Guide that comes out in January.
