The Most Popular Brand of School Bus, Ranked

Choose the brand you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:31
Selecting a school bus brand involves multiple factors, from safety features to fuel efficiency. By showcasing various brands based on public opinion, potential buyers and school administrators can gain insights from collective preferences to guide their decisions. This dynamic list reflects current trends and popular choices within the community. Each vote contributes to a clearer picture of which brands are trusted and favored in the real world. Your participation helps ensure the ranking remains accurate and relevant to users like you.

What Is the Most Popular Brand of School Bus?

  1. 1
    71
    votes

    Thomas Built Buses

    Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
    Thomas Built Buses is the leading school bus manufacturer in North America. They are known for their durability, safety, and innovation.
    Thomas Built Buses is a popular brand of school bus that has been manufacturing buses since 1916. Known for their commitment to safety, reliability, and innovation, Thomas Built Buses has become a trusted choice for school transportation. Their buses are designed with features that prioritize the safety and comfort of students, while also maintaining durability and efficiency.
    • Chassis: Steel reinforced Bus chassis
    • Seating Capacity: Up to 90 passengers
    • Engine Options: Multiple engine choices available
    • Safety Features: Integrated safety systems, such as crossing arms, stop paddles, and integrated child check reminder
    • Fuel Efficiency: Advanced engine technologies to optimize fuel consumption
  2. 2
    40
    votes
    Blue Bird Corporation
    Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Blue Bird Corporation

    Albert L. Luce Sr.
    Blue Bird Corporation is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. They are known for their quality, safety, and durability.
    The Blue Bird Corporation is a leading manufacturer of school buses in the United States. It has been producing high-quality and reliable buses for over 90 years, making it one of the most popular brands in the industry. Blue Bird buses are known for their safety features, durability, and innovative designs.
    • Safety: Blue Bird buses are designed with various safety features, including reinforced steel cage construction, electronic stability control, and advanced driver assistance systems.
    • Durability: Blue Bird buses are built to withstand rigorous daily use. They feature heavy-duty frames, corrosion-resistant materials, and durable components.
    • Fuel Efficiency: Blue Bird buses employ various technologies to optimize fuel efficiency, reducing operating costs and environmental impact.
    • Accessibility: Blue Bird buses prioritize accessibility for all students, with options for wheelchair lifts, integrated ramps, and spacious interiors.
    • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Blue Bird buses integrate ADAS technologies, such as collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, to enhance driver safety.
  3. 3
    28
    votes
    International Harvester is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their durability and reliability.
    International Harvester is a renowned brand of school bus that has been widely used in North America. It was produced by the International Harvester Company, an American manufacturer of agricultural machinery, trucks, and vehicles that operated from 1902 to 1985. The International Harvester school bus has gained its reputation for its durability, reliability, and safety features.
    • Seating Capacity: Typically 59 to 90 seats
    • Engine Options: Diesel or gasoline engines
    • Wheelbase: Varies, typically between 168 and 279 inches
    • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): Ranges between 23,500 and 36,200 pounds
    • Length: Varies, typically between 28 and 44 feet
  4. 4
    22
    votes
    Collins Bus Corporation is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their safety and durability.
    The Collins Bus Corporation is a renowned manufacturer of school buses and a leading name in the industry. With a strong legacy of producing safe and reliable vehicles, Collins has become one of the most popular brands for school transportation.
    • Safety standards: Collins buses are designed and built to meet or exceed all applicable safety regulations.
    • Durability: Collins buses are known for their robust construction, ensuring long-term performance and reliability.
    • Customization options: Collins offers a wide range of customization options to meet the specific needs and requirements of schools and districts.
    • Seating capacity: Collins buses are available in various seating capacities, ranging from small to large buses.
    • Fuel efficiency: Collins buses prioritize fuel efficiency to help reduce running costs and environmental impact.
    Collins Bus Corporation in other rankings
  5. 5
    10
    votes
    Crown Coach Corporation
    Buslady at English Wikipedia · Public domain

    Crown Coach Corporation

    Clarence W. Gasque
    Crown Coach Corporation is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their durability and reliability.
    Crown Coach Corporation was a renowned American manufacturer of school buses and fire trucks. Established in 1904 in Los Angeles, California, the company gained prominence for its high-quality bus construction and innovative engineering.
    • Height: 10 feet
    • Length: 33-40 feet
    • Weight: 15-20 tons
    • Seating Capacity: Up to 90 passengers
    • Engine: Gasoline, Diesel
  6. 6
    16
    votes

    Carpenter Body Company

    W.A. Carpenter
    Carpenter Body Company is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their quality and durability.
    The Carpenter Body Company is a renowned manufacturer of school buses. Established in 1919 by W.A. Carpenter, it quickly gained recognition for its high-quality and reliable buses. Carpenter buses have been widely used by schools and other educational institutions across the United States. Throughout its history, the company has consistently delivered durable and safe vehicles, ensuring the transportation of students with utmost care and comfort.
    • Seating Capacity: Ranges from 10 to 90 passengers
    • Chassis Options: Available with various chassis brands
    • Body Construction: Steel or aluminum body construction
    • Safety Features: Equipped with emergency exits, seat belts, and safety systems
    • Engine Options: Diesel or gasoline engines
  7. 7
    12
    votes

    Ward Body Works

    Ward Body Works
    Ward Body Works is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their safety and durability.
    Ward Body Works is one of the most well-known brands in the school bus industry. They specialize in manufacturing high-quality buses designed specifically for the transportation of students. With a long-standing history and reputation for safety and reliability, Ward buses are trusted by schools and communities across the country.
    • Capacity: Typically seats 30-90 passengers
    • Chassis: Built on various chassis options (Ford, Chevrolet, etc.)
    • Construction: Steel or aluminum body construction
    • Safety Features: Equipped with advanced safety systems such as crossing gates, stop arms, and cameras
    • Interior: Comfortable seating with ample legroom and spacious aisles
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    Superior Coach Company
    Power Trucks · Public domain

    Superior Coach Company

    Superior Coach Company
    Superior Coach Company is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their quality and reliability.
    The Superior Coach Company is a well-known brand of school bus that has been in operation since the early 1900s. It is recognized for producing high-quality and reliable buses that prioritize safety and comfort of passengers. The buses are designed to meet the specific requirements of school transportation, providing an efficient and enjoyable experience for students.
    • Model Range: Superior Coach Company offers a diverse range of bus models to cater to different school transportation needs.
    • Safety Features: The buses are equipped with advanced safety features such as reinforced steel frame, anti-lock braking system, and emergency exits.
    • Capacity: Superior buses come in various sizes with seating capacities ranging from 10 to 90 passengers, accommodating different school sizes.
    • Fuel Efficiency: The company focuses on incorporating fuel-efficient technologies to reduce emissions and increase the overall fuel economy of the buses.
    • Durability: Superior Coach buses are designed to withstand the demands of daily school transportation and are built to last with durable materials.
  9. 9
    7
    votes

    Wayne Corporation

    Wayne Corporation
    Wayne Corporation is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their durability and reliability.
    The Wayne Corporation is a renowned manufacturer of school buses that have been serving educational institutions for decades. It is widely recognized for its commitment to safety, durability, and overall quality.
    • Durability: Built to withstand heavy use and severe weather conditions
    • Safety features: Equipped with advanced safety features like reinforced steel cage construction, high visibility exterior, and emergency exits
    • Seating capacity: Offers various seating configurations to accommodate different numbers of students
    • Engine options: Multiple engine options available to meet different performance requirements
    • Customization: Offers customization options to meet specific school or district needs
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    Gillig Corporation
    Coolcaesar · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Gillig Corporation

    Jacob Gillig
    Gillig Corporation is a popular brand of school buses. They are known for their quality and safety.
    The Gillig Corporation is a well-known manufacturer of school buses based in the United States. It was founded by Jacob Gillig in 1890 and has since grown to become one of the leading brands in the industry. Gillig buses are highly regarded for their durability, safety features, and efficient design.
    • Seating Capacity: Up to 90 students
    • Length: Up to 45 feet
    • Height: Up to 12 feet
    • Engine Options: Diesel, CNG, Hybrid
    • Wheelbase: Up to 32 feet

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Ranking factors for popular brand

  1. Comfort
    Comfortable seating, good air-conditioning and heating, ample legroom, and minimal noise levels are crucial factors in evaluating a school bus brand. Proper seating and space can significantly impact the overall experience of students during their daily commutes.
  2. Reliability and Durability
    The bus should have a proven track record of reliable service and a long life span. This directly affects the maintenance costs, the likelihood of breakdowns, and overall performance over time.
  3. Fuel Efficiency
    Fuel efficiency is important from both an economic and environmental standpoint. Buses that consume less fuel and produce lower emissions are preferable. Some school buses now run on alternative fuels like propane, compressed natural gas, or electricity, making them even more environmentally friendly.
  4. Passenger Capacity
    Depending on the needs of the school or district, it's essential to evaluate the seating capacity and layout of the school bus. A popular brand should offer a range of options to accommodate differing numbers of students.
  5. Maintenance and Repair
    It's crucial to consider the ease of maintenance and availability of replacement parts. Brands with a strong presence and easy access to service centers are generally more appealing to school districts.
  6. Affordability
    Budget constraints are always a factor. A popular school bus brand should offer high-quality products at a reasonable and competitive price point.
  7. Resale Value
    A good school bus brand should maintain a high resale value. Higher resale values can help offset initial purchase costs, making the bus more affordable over time.
  8. Customization Options
    Brands that offer a variety of customization options, such as seating arrangements, wheelchair accessibility, storage compartments, and exterior colors, can help meet the specific needs of individual schools or districts.
  9. Reputation and Reviews
    Lastly, the overall reputation of the school bus brand and customer reviews should be taken into consideration. Brands with a strong reputation in the market and positive feedback from customers are an indication of a good product.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular brand of school bus. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or brand is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3007 views
  • 215 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each brand once every 24 hours. The rank of each brand is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular brand of school bus

School buses are an iconic part of the American education system. They transport millions of students to and from school every day, making them an essential part of the daily routine for students and parents alike. While there are several brands of school buses on the market, each with their own unique features and benefits, some brands have become more popular than others. In this article, we'll explore the most popular brand of school bus and what makes it the go-to choice for many schools across the country.

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