Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 12.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $6.9bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Low-cost curbside bus services benefit from the rising number of cost-conscious consumers
- Low-cost curbside bus services are recovering. These services have gained popularity as consumers, facing inflationary pressures through 2023 and into 2024, became more cautious with their spending and focused on saving, supporting bus services that are often cheaper than alternative transportation methods.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Stabilizing economic conditions will stimulate travel
- As disposable income grows, consumers will be encouraged to spend more on discretionary services, including city bus tours and bus transportation for conventions, weddings, proms and other events. The rebound in consumer spending will be propelled by the ongoing easing of monetary policy, which, combined with improving credit conditions and access to capital, are expected to bolster business finances and support the recovery of the labor market after a prolonged tightness since 2023.
Biggest companies in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 | Profit ($m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Coach Usa Inc. | 403.8 | 24.3 | 6.0 | |
Global Charter Services Ltd | 265.1 | 15.9 | 6.0 | |
Academy Bus LLC | 180.8 | 10.9 | 6.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Charter bus services, Scheduled bus services and Other services (including rural transit). Charter bus services is the largest segment of the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services in the US.
Trends and Insights
Charter bus services command the largest revenue share through premium pricing and extended bookings
- Charter bus services represent private group rentals where organizations, companies, or tour operators book an entire coach for customized itineraries, including multi-day vacations, corporate events, sports team travel, school trips and sightseeing tours. Operators generate premium revenue per coach by bundling transportation with lodging, meals and attractions while deploying high-capacity vehicles on extended assignments. This model yields substantially more revenue per vehicle-day than selling individual tickets on fixed scheduled routes, positioning charter services as the industry's highest-revenue segment.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services provide scheduled and chartered bus transportation services. Scheduled buses provide intercity, rural and other long-distance transport services on regular routes and schedules. Conversely, charter bus services are contracted out on an as-needed basis.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States include Intercity bus line transportation services, Interstate bus line transportation services, Interurban bus line transportation services, Rural bus transportation services, Motor coach operations for interurban and rural scheduled routes and Charter bus operations for businesses and consumers (except scenic and sightseeing services).Companies
Companies covered in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States include Coach Usa Inc., Global Charter Services Ltd and Academy Bus LLC.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States include charter bus, scheduled bus, motor coach, curbside bus service and fuel surcharge.Industry Code
NAICS 485210 - Scheduled and Charter Bus Services in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Despite a challenging recovery influenced by changing consumer preferences and competition from ride-hailing services, low-cost curbside bus services are gaining popularity am...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Charter services command the largest revenue share through premium pricing and extended bookings. Corporate demand for group mobility is driving sustained growth in this high...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
California dominates bus transportation through tourism and institutional contracts. Community college enrollment growth and university partnerships generate guaranteed reven...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Rising investment in rail infrastructure, particularly high-speed rail, poses competition for charter bus services. This investment, driven by the Infrastructure Investment a...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Coach USA captures event transportation demand by launching direct stadium routes. The company addresses transit gaps at major venues, diversifying revenue through underserve...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Coach Usa Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Global Charter Services Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Academy Bus LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Coach Usa Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Global Charter Services Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Academy Bus LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Local traffic regulations are forcing operators to adjust schedules and plan alternative routes. Peak-hour restrictions in major cities, such as Nashville and New York, requi...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Charter bus operators limit their services to the most profitable routes and peak demand periods to enhance profitability. Focusing on high-demand days and more lucrative rou...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
- Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
- Income Statement (2018-2023)
- Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States in 2025?
The market size of the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States is $6.9bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States in 2025?
There are 9,062 businesses in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States?
The Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States?
The Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 12.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States are Coach Usa Inc., Global Charter Services Ltd and Academy Bus LLC
What does the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States include?
Intercity bus line transportation services and Interstate bus line transportation services are part of the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States is Coach Usa Inc..
How competitive is the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Scheduled and Charter Bus Services industry in the United States.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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