Motorcoach Census Research 2020

An ongoing study of the size and scope of the motorcoach industry in the U.S. and Canada

The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) commissions the annual Motorcoach Census study to measure the size and activity of the motorcoach transportation service industry in the United States and Canada.

Each report examines the number of motorcoach industry companies, services provided, employment figures, number of passenger miles traveled, and more.

2020 Motorcoach Census Findings

Executive Summary

About the Report: The 2020 Motorcoach Census explores the size and activity of the motorcoach transportation service industry in the U.S. and Canada in the calendar year 2020, including industry impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the motorcoach industry in the United States and Canada consisted of 1,873 companies that operated 30,860 motorcoaches. In the United States, 1,717 companies operated 27,753 motorcoaches, and in Canada 156 companies operated 3,107 motorcoaches.
Key Highlights:
- Motorcoach companies offer a diverse variety of services. In 2020, about 96.0% of motorcoach companies provided charter service. Additionally:
  - 34.8% provided tour service
  - 20.3% provided sightseeing
  - 22.3% provided scheduled service
  - 10.1% provided commuter services.
- Most companies (88.6%) were small and operated fewer than 25 motorcoaches. These firms operated 10,795 motorcoaches, provided 27.2 million passenger trips, and accounted for 20.1% of motorcoach mileage.
  - Mid-sized companies that operated 25 to 99 motorcoaches ran 8,187 motorcoaches, provided 27.4 million passenger trips, and accounted for 23.9% of the industry’s motorcoach mileage.
  - Large companies that operated over 100 motorcoaches accounted for 38.5% of the industry’s fleet, provided 56.2% of the industry’s passenger trips, and 56.0% of the industry’s motorcoach mileage.
- The motorcoach industry provided jobs to 49,430 people in 2020. On average, a motorcoach company provided 26 jobs or 1.6 jobs per motorcoach.
  - Small companies that operated fewer than 25 motorcoaches provided for 32.7% of motorcoach industry jobs.
  - Mid-sized companies that operated between 25 and 99 motorcoaches provided for 22.8% of motorcoach industry jobs.
  - Large companies that operated more than 100 motorcoaches – provided for 44.5% of motorcoach industry jobs.
- The motorcoach industry provided 124.6 million passenger trips and moved individual passengers a total of 19.2 billion miles in 2020.
- On average, a motorcoach provided 4,037 passenger trips in 2020, accounting for 623,700 passenger miles, employed 1.6 people, and traveled 21,945 miles.

Citation

How to Cite This Report: American Bus Association. (2022). 2020 Motorcoach Census. Retrieved from https://www.buses.org/aba-foundation-research-summary/motorcoach-census-industry-size-and-scope-research-2020/.
Report Author: John Dunham & Associates.
Sponsored by: American Bus Association Foundation.
Contact information: For inquiries, email research@buses.org or call (202) 218-7227.

Methodology

Several sources of information were used to construct the estimates of industry size and activity in this study. Names of potential motorcoach carriers were assembled using information from prior censuses, the American Bus Association Foundation, Data Axle, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the United Motorcoach Association. Information about the potential motorcoach carriers and the motorcoaches they operated was collected through a survey. The survey questionnaire was distributed to the potential motorcoach carriers. A total of 338 usable survey responses from motorcoach carriers were returned to John Dunham & Associates.

Download the Full Report (PDF)