2026 Bus Census

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Executive Summary

About the Research/White Paper

About the Report: The 2026 Bus Census explores the size and activity of the motorcoach transportation service industry in the U.S. and Canada in the calendar year 2025. The study reveals the scope and impact of the motorcoach transportation industry in the United States and Canada. It shows that the vital industry is consolidating, but getting stronger. Fewer operators are running larger fleets, activity is growing quickly, and motorcoaches are being used more intensively — all while operators are improving efficiency and scaling with relatively lean staffing.

Key highlights:

  • In 2025, about 86.9% of motorcoach companies provided charter service. Additionally:
    • 31% provided tour service
    • 27.6% provided sightseeing
    • 14.8% provided urban scheduled service
    • 12.5% provided commuter services
    • 11.8% provided rural scheduled service.
  • Most companies (87.3%) were small and operated fewer than 25 motorcoaches. These firms operated 17,373 motorcoaches and accounted for 35.5% of motorcoach mileage.
    • Mid-sized companies that operated 25 to 99 motorcoaches ran 7,694 motorcoaches, accounting for 26.8% of the industry’s motorcoach mileage. 
    • Large companies that operated over 100 motorcoaches accounted for 50.8% of the industry’s fleet and 37.7% of the industry’s Motorcoach mileage.
  • The motorcoach industry provided jobs to 77,176 people in 2025. On average, a motorcoach company provided 41 jobs or 1.5 jobs per motorcoach.
    • Small companies that operated fewer than 25 motorcoaches accounted for 33% of motorcoach industry jobs. 
    • Mid-sized companies that operated between 25 and 99 motorcoaches provided for 19.1% of motorcoach industry jobs. 
    • Large companies that operated more than 100 motorcoaches provided for 47.8% of motorcoach industry jobs.
  • On average, a motorcoach provided 0.9 million passenger miles, employed 1.5 people and traveled 40,297 miles.

Citation

Methodology

  • Several sources of information were used to construct estimates of industry size and activity for this study. Names of potential motorcoach carriers were compiled from the American Bus Association Foundation, Dun & Bradstreet, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Motor Coach Canada.
  • Information about the potential motorcoach carriers and the motorcoaches that they operated was collected through a survey. The survey questionnaire was distributed to motorcoach carriers. A total of 288 usable survey responses from motorcoach carriers were returned to Tourism Economics.