Each day, more than 480,000 school buses transport over 25 million children in the United States, according to the New York School Bus Contractors Association.
Beyond the scale of daily ridership, the impact of school transportation is even more meaningful.
A study published in Education and Finance Policy found that school-provided transportation significantly increases attendance among students at risk of missing school.
This impact proves how meeting student transport needs can help improve access to education and student success.
Understanding these insights can help you in choosing the right bus. Each type of bus offers distinct characteristics, such as size, fuel type and accessibility features, that affect student safety, compliance and long-term efficiency.
Whether you’re serving a small program or managing routes across a large district, choosing the right bus starts with knowing the options.
Here’s what sets each one apart.
Overview of School Bus Classifications
School buses are classified by type to help identify their size, layout and design purpose. These different classifications are based on guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which measures the maximum total weight of a vehicle when fully loaded, is a configuration that helps determine its capacity and legal use.
Type A School Buses
Type A school buses are typically converted vans or cutaway front-section vehicles, featuring a left-hand driver’s door and a passenger entrance on the right.
These buses seat between 10 and 30 passengers and are often used for special-needs transportation, daycare centers and neighborhood routes with limited access.
With improved fuel economy and smaller wheelbases, this nimble bus provides a solution for special needs, intercity routes, and for long distance routes that require picking up one or two students in underserved areas.
Type C School Buses
This is the conventional yellow school bus most people recognize.
Type C buses are built on a chassis with a hood and full front fender, with the engine located at the front of the vehicle, and the windshield positioned in front of it.
The passenger door is behind the front wheels, and these buses have a gross vehicle weight (GVWR) of 21,500 pounds or more.
Capacity: Up to 72 passengers
Ideal for: Standard school routes, longer distances, rural or suburban areas
Type D School Buses
These transit-style, larger buses have flat fronts and are built on a chassis with the engine positioned at the front or rear of the bus. The entrance door is placed ahead of the front wheels.
Capacity: 75 to 90 passengers
Length: Up to 45 feet
Ideal for: High-volume routes, urban school districts or athletic team travel
Multifunctional Activity Buses (MFSABs)
MFSABs, or multifunction school activity buses, transport students and staff for non-routinely scheduled purposes, such as field trips, athletic events or extracurricular activities.
Unlike traditional school activity buses, these vehicles are not required to include flashing lights or stop arms.
However, they still comply with many of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Ideal for: Camps, youth groups, private schools, daycare transportation and team travel
Why Are School Buses So Different from City Buses?
School buses meet stricter safety standards, particularly in crash protection and visibility, which is crucial in the context of school transportation.
The body design of school buses includes features such as high-visibility school bus yellow paint, reinforced sides and compartmentalized seating designed to keep students safe.
By contrast, city buses are optimized for frequent stops, fare collection and standing passengers.
Key Differences:
- School buses must comply with FMVSS 131 and 217, which are specific to stop arms and emergency exits.
- City buses prioritize capacity and boarding speed over compartmentalized safety.
How Do Special Needs School Buses Differ from Standard Ones?
Special needs buses include specific design features to accommodate students with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments, aligning with school bus safety standards and state regulations. These features may include wheelchair lifts, wider aisles, specialized seating and harness systems.
Types of school buses designed for special needs transport often fall under the Type A or Type D categories, depending on the number of students and route length.
Schetky Bus & Van Sales offers fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant buses that promote inclusion and meet all applicable accessibility standards.
What Specific Regulations Do Different Types of School Buses Need to Comply With?
All school buses must adhere to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), which vary depending on the type of vehicle.
In addition:
- Type A–D buses must meet specific requirements for crash protection, rollover strength and emergency exits.
- MFSABs must meet all school bus standards, except those for traffic control devices, such as stop arms.
- ADA-compliant buses follow additional guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including ramp slope, securement systems and signage.
Our staff ensures that all vehicles meet or exceed regulatory standards before delivery.
Decision-Making Guide: Choosing the Right Type of School BusesÂ
Before buying, ask yourself:
How long is your typical route?
Shorter routes may work well for compact buses, such as Type A or B, while longer or rural routes might benefit from larger buses, like Type C or Type D, with greater seating capacity and comfort features.
Do you need ADA-compliant features?
Suppose your passengers include individuals with mobility challenges. In that case, you’ll need wheelchair lifts, securement systems and possibly wider aisles, available on several ADA-compliant school buses that Schetky offers.
How many passengers will you transport?
Smaller groups may only require a Type A or MFSAB, while larger student populations may need the capacity of a Type C or D bus.
Are you operating in dense urban areas or open rural roads?
Urban areas may benefit from buses with tight turning radii and lower clearances, while rural roads require buses with durability, a longer range and enhanced ride stability.
What fuel efficiency or alternative power sources are essential to your organization?
If reducing emissions or operating costs is a priority, consider buses equipped with propane, electric or compressed natural gas (CNG) powertrains. Schetky offers a wide range of eco-friendly types of school buses designed to meet sustainability goals.
Our experts help you navigate these questions to find a solution that works for your team and community.
Why Choose Schetky Bus & Van Sales
With over 80 years of experience, Schetky Bus & Van Sales is one of the most trusted names in the industry.Â
We serve school districts, nonprofits, tribal nations and commercial operations across the country.
Our coach buses meet or exceed federal safety standards, and we offer custom upfitting, ADA-compliant configurations and personalized support from purchase through delivery.
Check our current inventory to find the right vehicle for your transportation needs.