Mid-sized School Buses Market Size - By Fuel (Diesel, Electric, Hybrid), By Class (Type A, Type B), By End User (School District, Private Contractor, Charter Services) & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

Mid-sized School Buses Market Size

Mid-sized School Buses Market size was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 7% between 2024 and 2032. The growing number of students across developing regions is driving market growth. School buses are essential for ensuring that children in isolated & rural locations have access to an education when schools are situated distant from residential areas. The increasing number of students in these areas is fueling the need for transportation services, particularly mid-sized buses with the ability to maneuver on rural roads.
 

To meet the needs of individual students, mid-sized school buses can be customized with features such as climate control, wheelchair accessibility, or unique seating configurations. School districts with distinct needs find mid-sized buses appealing due to their customizable options. Mid-sized school buses offer ease of navigation and lower environmental effects in heavily crowded urban regions or suburban neighborhoods with narrow roads. These buses may witness a rise in demand in certain locations as urbanization progresses.

It might be challenging to strike a balance between capacity, mobility, and fuel efficiency. Mid-sized buses need to have enough room for pupils and the ability to operate on different kinds of roads. Fuel-efficient mid-sized buses are required to save operating costs and lessen the environmental effects. Balancing engine power and fuel usage may pose a hurdle.
 

Regular maintenance is necessary to keep mid-sized buses safe and dependable. For school districts with tight budgets, controlling maintenance expenses while keeping buses in top shape can be quite difficult.
 

Mid-sized School Buses Market Trends

Mid-sized school buses are part of the automobile industry's adoption of electric and hybrid technology. For school districts updating their fleets, electric and hybrid buses become increasingly appealing due to their lower emissions, longer-term cost savings, and quieter operation. For instance, in 2023, the EPA announced a grant of USD 280,000 to USD 500,000 for large electric school buses under the School Bus Sub Program.
 

Manufacturers are incorporating modern safety technologies including blind-spot detection, lane departure warning systems, and collision avoidance systems into mid-sized buses. These innovations improve student and driver safety by reducing the chance of collisions. Moreover, mid-sized school buses are increasingly being integrated with connectivity amenities such as onboard entertainment systems and Wi-Fi hotspots. These facilities enable the delivery of instructional content and keep students interested during their commute.
 

Mid-sized School Buses Market Analysis

Based on fuel, the market is divided into diesel, electric, and hybrid. The diesel segment is expected to hold over 80% of the market share by 2032. Diesel engines are an established technology that has been utilized in the transportation sector for many years. Due to worries about performance and dependability, many school districts are reluctant to switch to newer technology as they are familiar with diesel-powered buses.
 

In comparison to electric or alternative fuel vehicles, diesel-powered buses offer greater driving ranges, making them appropriate for longer routes and locations with sparse infrastructure for refueling or charging. This range capacity is crucial for mid-sized buses that operate in suburban or rural areas.
 

Based on class, the mid-sized school buses market is categorized into Type A and Type B. The Type B segment held over 38% of the market share in 2023. The demand for transit options that can handle tight turns and small streets is rising as urbanization and city population densities increase. As they have a smaller footprint than larger bus variants, Type A mid-sized buses are ideal for maneuvering through crowded areas and urban settings.
 

The safety and mobility of Type A mid-sized buses are prioritized in their design. They are easier to maneuver in limited parking spaces due to their small size and short turning radius. They are preferred for transportation in residential neighborhoods, school campuses, and other places where space is restricted.
 

North America dominated the global mid-sized school buses market, generating USD 717.9 million in revenue in 2023. The demand for mid-sized buses with accessible features including wheelchair lifts and security systems has increased due to the requirement for specialized transportation services for students with disabilities. With the increasing prevalence of inclusive education techniques, school districts need buses that can accommodate a wide range of student demands.
 

New educational institutions and schools have opened throughout Asia Pacific owing to economic growth and rising investments in educational infrastructure. There is a growing need for mid-sized buses as a dependable and efficient service to securely transport students to & from school.
 

Transportation services for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are mandated by the UK government. Such students are frequently transported to specialized schools or educational facilities by mid-sized school buses, thereby increasing their demand. Similarly, Germany offers special education pupils transportation services.
 

The UAE government has been making significant investments in the field of education to enhance all citizens' access to high-quality education. This involves building new schools and expanding the existing ones, which has increased the demand for school transportation services to bring students to & from school safely and effectively.
 

Mid-sized School Buses Market Share

Thomas Built Buses and Blue Bird Corporation hold over 10% of global mid-sized school buses industry. Price competition between firms is a common strategy used to draw clients. This may result in regular price adjustments and promotions. In the mid-sized school bus industry, businesses including Collins Bus Corporation, Thomas Built Buses, and Blue Bird Corporation have long held a strong position. They are close competitors due to their extensive expertise, well-known brands, and established distribution systems.
 

Some manufacturers set themselves apart by providing alternatives for customization and unique configurations made to meet client needs. This includes amenities such as entertainment systems made specifically for special education transportation or other niche markets, wheelchair lifts, and customized seating layouts.
 

Mid-sized School Buses Market Companies

Major companies operating in the mid-sized school buses industry are:

• Thomas Built Buses
• IC Bus
• Blue Bird Corporation
• Gillig Corporation
• Collins Bus Corporation
• Starcraft Bus
• Micro Bird
• Trans Tech
• Lion Electric Company
• Girardin Minibus
• Motiv Power Systems
• Proterra
• Navistario
• Titan Bus
• Forest River
• Startrans
• Carpenter Body Works
• Wayne Wheeled Vehicles
• C.E. White Co.
• Corbeil
   

Mid-sized School Buses Industry News

• In October 2023, Nuvve Holding Corp. partnered with Blue Bird Corporation to replace Nuvve Level II chargers, five Blue Bird Vision electric buses, and the cutting-edge Nuvve FleetBox 2.0 charge management software for the diesel fleet of the Martinsville Independent School District (ISD)

• In July 2023, IC Bus launched new sustainable student transportation by offering next-generation school bus technologies. With options for both diesel and electric powertrains, the IC Bus CE Series contributed to the acceleration of the impact of sustainable mobility.
   

The mid-sized school buses market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion), and volume (Units) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Fuel

• Diesel
• Electric
• Hybrid

Market, By Class

• Type A
• Type B

Market, By End User

• School district
• Private contractor
• Charter services

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Nordics
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA