[Research] Motorcoach Sustainability Research 2025 | American Bus Association

Charter Bus Industry Sustainability Research

Motorcoach Sustainability: A Study of Sustainability within the Charter Bus Industry

The cover image of the 2025 Motorcoach Sustainability: A Study of Sustainability within the Charter Bus Industry research. The image shows the report name in white text overlayed on an image of a white charter bus driving on a freeway. The Tourism Economics, An Oxford Economics Company, logo is on the top left corner. A dark blue bar is on the bottom of the image, which includes the ABA Foundation and ABA logos in the bottom right.

Executive Summary

  • About the Report: Released in April 2025, the Sustainability and Innovation of the Motorcoach and Charter Bus Industry is a study commissioned by the American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) to explore the current state of sustainability within the motorcoach industry.
    • For the purposes of this study, sustainability within the motorcoach industry is defined as any operation or manufacturing practice that reduces emissions, supports local communities, and preserves the environment. 
    • This study explores the current state of sustainability and innovation within the industry and looks at progress and challenges from both the manufacturer and operator perspectives. 
    • Read the full executive summary here.
  • Key Highlights:
    • Motorcoaches significantly outperform all other modes of travel in terms of energy consumption per passenger-mile. This includes commercial air travel, rail, ferry, transit buses, and personal vehicles.
    • Motorcoaches emit less carbon dioxide per passenger-mile than any other mode, making them the top choice for travelers and policymakers focused on reducing transportation emissions. 
    • Motorcoaches equipped with Clean Idle technology, which is designed to significantly reduce emissions during common idle periods at rest stops, terminals, and loading zones, reduce idle nitrogen oxide emissions by nearly 50% below the regulatory limit of 30 g/hr.

Citation

Methodology

  • This report builds on the ABA Foundation’s 2023 “Updated Comparison of Energy Use and Emissions from Different Transportation Modes Using the Latest Available Updates” report, which evaluated the environmental performance of motorcoach operations through a comparison of energy use and pollutants emitted.
  • As part of this study, the ABA conducted a survey of North American motorcoach manufacturers and operators to capture and assess current sustainable practices in place within the industry. In addition, the ABA conducted interviews with key operators and manufacturers to understand current and future efforts and challenges.

Related Resources

Download the Full Report (PDF)

The American Bus Association serves a thriving industry that provides nearly 600 million passenger trips annually on charters, tours, scheduled service, and shuttles. Membership in ABA includes motorcoach operators, tour operators, tourism-related organizations, and products and service suppliers.

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