School bus sales are up across North America this year according to new findings from School Bus Fleet. Compared to last year, sales have risen 4.4%, showing a steady increase for the past three years in a row.
The report finds there was a total of 37,663 school buses sold in the 2014 sales year (Nov. 1, 2013 to Oct. 31, 2014), rising from the previous year’s total of 36,073.
The school bus market has been steadily recovering since 2011, when sales had dropped to just 25,061 units following five years of declining school bus sales in a row.
Type C school buses, better known as conventionals, made up 70% of all school bus sales (25,218 units). In comparison, Type A/B, or small buses, were 20% of sales. Type D, commonly known as transit style, took in 10% of sales.
In just the U.S., school bus sales rose in all categories except Type D, reflecting the overall increase in the U.S. market of 8.4% in 2014 compared to 2013. On the other hand, Canada showed drops in school bus sales across all categories in the 2014 sales year, with an overall decrease of 22.3%.
The complete report will be published in the 2015 School Bus Fleet Fact Book.
