This year saw changes in some trends that SCHOOL BUS FLEET had seen among its Top 50 Contractors in past years. In 2013, 43% of the companies returning to the list increased their fleet sizes, which is an 8 percentage point drop compared to 2012.
The percentage of those whose fleets became smaller is 20%. This figure is up 7 percentage points from last year, and it marks an end to a three-year decline in the percentage of companies whose fleets decreased from the previous year. Thirty-seven percent of the companies reported no change in fleet size.
Interestingly, the total number of buses in the Top 50 grew in 2013. There are 119,562 buses, which is up from 117,953 last year. The increase is due to growth reported by several companies.
For example, Birnie Bus Service’s fleet grew by 205 units for a total of 1,147, and the company moved up three spots to No. 9. Dean Transportation moved up four slots to No. 11 and grew its fleet by 193 buses for a total of 1,087. Royal Coach Lines’ fleet of 595 buses represents an increase of 149 units over 2012 and the company moved up five spots to No. 20.
In terms of movement, AA Transportation Co. Inc. made the biggest jump, ascending seven slots from No. 36 to No. 29.
Steady top 5
The ranking of the first five companies remains unchanged. First Student continues its longstanding run in the top spot, with 54,450 buses. National Express Corp. is No. 2 with more than 21,000 units, and Student Transportation Inc. comes in third with 9,500 buses. Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. and Illinois Central School Bus Co. round out the top five at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, with 5,180 buses and 3,456 buses. These companies’ fleets reflect the overall pattern in the rest of the ranking: less growth compared to 2012. National Express grew its fleet by 1,000 buses, and Student Transportation’s fleet increased by 400 units. However, First Student’s and Illinois Central School Bus’ fleets had no change, and Atlantic Express’ fleet decreased by 100 buses.
New this year
One company joined the list in 2013. A.J. Myers & Sons from Export, Pa., comes in at No. 24 with 450 buses. The addition of A.J. Myers & Sons brings the number of companies in the ranking headquartered in Pennsylvania to five. Pennsylvania is one of five East Coast states represented by contractors in the ranking, and overall, companies in that region of the U.S. make up 52% of the list.
1.First Student Inc. Cincinnati
2.National Express Corp. Warrenville, Ill.
3.Student Transportation Inc. Wall, N.J.
4.Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. Staten Island, N.Y.
5.Illinois Central School Bus Co. Joliet, Ill.
6.George Krapf Jr. & Sons Inc. West Chester, Pa.
7.Cook-Illinois Corp. Oak Forest, Ill.
8.WE Transport* Plainview, N.Y.
9.Birnie Bus Service Inc. Rome, N.Y.
10.Lamers Bus Lines Inc. Green Bay, Wis.
11.Dean Transportation Inc. Lansing, Mich.
12.W.L. Roenigk Inc. Sarver, Pa.
13.Suffolk Transportation Service Inc. Bay Shore, N.Y.
14.DATTCO Inc. New Britain, Conn.
15.Huntington Coach Corp. Huntington Station, N.Y.
