The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) released the highly anticipated 2024 Motorcoach Census, providing a comprehensive analysis of the motorcoach industry in the U.S. and Canada for the year 2023. 

The report, conducted by Tourism Economics, underscores the industry's remarkable resilience and recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting key growth trends and its critical role in passenger transportation.

Size, Impact of the Industry

The 2024 Census reveals the motorcoach industry comprised 2,056 companies operating 25,235 motorcoaches across the U.S. and Canada. 

The companies delivered 38 billion passenger miles while traveling an impressive 1.1 billion miles. Employment in the sector also reached a significant milestone, supporting 70,267 jobs.

In the U.S., 1,873 companies operated 22,589 motorcoaches, while Canada’s 183 companies managed a fleet of 2,646 motorcoaches.

Diversifying Services 

Motorcoach companies demonstrated versatility by offering a wide array of services, with 90% providing charter services, 31.6% offering tours, and 26.5% specializing in sightseeing. 

Additionally, commuter, urban, and rural scheduled services were vital to the industry’s offerings, showcasing its adaptability to meet regional and demographic needs.

Resilient Recovery, Future Growth

Despite a notable decrease in the number of companies and motorcoaches since 2019 due to industry consolidation, the data highlights a strong rebound in activity per motorcoach. 

Passenger mileage and miles traveled experienced significant post-COVID recovery, with motorcoaches averaging 1.5 million passenger miles annually.

“The 2024 Motorcoach Census illustrates the incredible resilience and adaptability of the motorcoach industry,” said Lew Myers, the ABAF’s director, research, policy, and impact. “Our industry has not only survived but is thriving, providing critical transportation services to millions of passengers and supporting thousands of jobs in the U.S. and Canada.”

Looking ahead, over half of the companies surveyed indicated plans to acquire new motorcoaches in 2024, a testament to the industry’s confidence and commitment to growth.

Key Findings Include:

• 66% motorcoach utilization for charter services, the highest of all service types.

• Small operators (92.2% of companies) continue to dominate the industry, reflecting its deeply local and community-focused nature.

• Mid-sized and large operators account for significant portions of the fleet, underscoring their efficiency and capacity.

“The motorcoach industry is a vital thread in the transportation fabric of North America,” Myers added. “This report underscores the importance of supporting our operators as they continue to meet the evolving needs of passengers while driving economic activity across the continent.”

Methodology for the Census

Tourism Economics, a division of Oxford Economics, conducted the census. 

The report utilizes data from surveys distributed to motorcoach carriers alongside other industry sources. It serves as a key resource for understanding trends, challenges, and opportunities in the motorcoach sector.

For the full census, click here.