Bus Transportation Services Industry Profile

Companies in this industry transport passengers by bus Major companies include US-based FirstGroup America - the owner of First Student, First Transit, and Greyhound; as well as Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport (India); ComfortDelGro (Singapore); UK-based FirstGroup, National Express, and Stagecoach; Nobina (Sweden), and Transport International Holdings (Hong Kong).

Worldwide demand for bus transportation is driven by population growth. Currently estimated at about 7.5 billion, the global population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050. Most of the growth is expected to occur in urban areas in developing economies. Globally, buses account for about 65% of urban and suburban public transport, according to the International Association of Public Transport.

The US bus transportation industry includes about 9,800 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $22 billion. Key growth drivers include increases in population density and employment levels.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand depends mainly on the demographic makeup and growth of the local population. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations. Large companies can have advantages in buying fuel and in maintaining fleets. Small companies can compete by providing specialized services. The urban, school, interurban and rural bus transportation segments are highly concentrated. The charter and special needs transportation segments are fragmented.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major types of bus service include school, urban, interurban and rural, charter, and paratransit (transportation of people with disabilities).

Companies in all sectors of the ...