School Transportation News Magazine | Buyer’s Guide 2022


DATA, STATISTICS AND TRENDS


school districts and bus companies. These buses must then be parked at the plant while they await these essential products, which can be months away from being fulfilled. Bus OEM representatives indicated to STN that order


fulfillment is being delayed by at least a year, and several school district transportation directors relayed last fall that they have been told by their local bus dealers to not expect their orders to arrive until mid-2023 or 2024. “If the production time from order to delivery is


even one year, it will impact the replacement strategy of many operators who have either self-imposed replacement programs or contractually required average age fleet requirements,” commented Robert T. Pudlewski, STN’s technical editor. “The extended production time would result in numerous operational


31,476


School Buses Manufactured (Nov. 1, 2020 – Oct. 31, 2021)


issues such as increased maintenance expenses for all involved and specifically for contractors, with contract age replacement clauses the additional burden of negotiating fleet age extensions. Even more critical if its two to three years from order to delivery.” Another force is at play, namely the embrace of


alternative student transportation options because of the driver shortage. “There are many reasons districts might consider using vehicles other than a traditional yellow bus for their student transportation needs,” Pudlewski added. “As driver shortages continue to impact districts across the country, van fleets offer a safe, reliable way to get students to-and-from school on time and ready to learn, without the extra worry about staffing or the cost of underutilized school buses.” ●


14.2%


Decrease in School Bus Production (Compared to 2019 – 2020)


SCHOOL BUS PRODUCTION BY FUEL/ENERGY TYPE Diesel .............................................................................................................................................. 19,605 Gasoline ...........................................................................................................................................9,374 Propane ........................................................................................................................................... 2,354 Electric ................................................................................................................................................667 CNG .........................................................................................................................................................39 *Figures are based on OEM reporting


OEMs Surveyed Blue Bird Collins Bus Ford Commercial Vehicles General Motors Green Power Motor Company IC Bus The Lion Electric Company


*Did not respond. 12


Micro Bird Starcraft Bus Titan Bus Thomas Built Buses Trans Tech Van-Con, Inc.


*


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