Motorcoach Census Research
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.
2024 Motorcoach Census Findings
Executive Summary
- About the Report: The 2024 Motorcoach Census explores the size and activity of the motorcoach transportation service industry in the U.S. and Canada in the calendar year 2023. The study reveals the scope and impact of the motorcoach transportation industry in the United States and Canada. It shows an industry that serves a broad range of customers and moves people with great fuel efficiency. It shows an industry that provides charter, tour, and sightseeing services, which are vital to the travel and leisure industries, and intercity and commuter services, which are essential components of the passenger transportation systems in both the United States and Canada.
- Key Highlights:
- Motorcoach companies offer a wide range of services. In 2023, about 90.0% of motorcoach companies provided charter service. Additionally:
- 31.6% provided tour service
- 26.5% provided sightseeing
- 11.7% provided urban scheduled service
- 13.1% provided rural scheduled service
- 11.3% provided commuter services.
- Most companies (89.6%) were small and operated fewer than 25 motorcoaches. These firms operated 12,483 motorcoaches and accounted for 37% of motorcoach mileage.
- Mid-sized companies that operated 25 to 99 motorcoaches ran 7,017 motorcoaches, accounting for 25.6% of the industry’s motorcoach mileage.
- Large companies that operated over 100 motorcoaches accounted for 59.3% of the industry’s fleet and 37.4% of the industry’s motorcoach mileage.
- The motorcoach industry provided jobs to 76,949 people in 2023. On average, a motorcoach company provided 39 jobs or 1.6 jobs per motorcoach.
- Small companies that operated fewer than 25 motorcoaches accounted for 29% of motorcoach industry jobs.
- Mid-sized companies –those that operated between 25 and 99 motorcoaches –provided for 18.7% of motorcoach industry jobs.
- Large companies that operated more than 100 motorcoaches provided for 52.3% of motorcoach industry jobs.
- On average, a motorcoach provided 0.8 million passenger miles, employed 1.6 people and traveled 33,976 miles.
- Motorcoach companies offer a wide range of services. In 2023, about 90.0% of motorcoach companies provided charter service. Additionally:
Citation
- How to Cite This Report: American Bus Association. (2024). 2024 Motorcoach Census. Retrieved from https://www.buses.org/aba-foundation-research-summary/motorcoach-census-industry-size-and-scope-research/.
- Report Author: American Bus Association.
- 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 estimates of industry size and activity for this study. Names of potential motorcoach carriers were assembled using information from the American Bus Association Foundation, Dun and Bradstreet, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Motor Coach Canada. Information about the potential motorcoach carriers and the motorcoaches that they operated was collected through a survey. The survey questionnaire was distributed to motorcoach carriers. A total of 291 usable survey responses from motorcoach carriers were returned to Tourism Economics.
Related Resources
- Read the 2024 Motorcoach Census press release
Previous Motorcoach Census Reports
Access these previous Motorcoach Census reports:
