National Bus Sales

What National Bus Sales does

National Bus Sales is a privately held, full-service bus dealership and service center headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1989 by Steve and Shannon Henshaw. The company buys, sells, leases, rents, services, and customizes new and used buses across school, shuttle, activity, motorcoach, and van categories, serving customers in all 50 US states plus Canada and Mexico. Its core inventory and product portfolio spans third-party OEM brands (Blue Bird, Thomas Built, International, MCI, Prevost, Van Hool, Starcraft, Glaval, and others) alongside its proprietary Ultra Coachliner® luxury motorcoach brand, offered in SE, SE 102, DX, and DXL configurations. The company operates from a 36,000 square foot facility on 45 acres, including an 18-bay service area, 55-foot paint booth, custom upholstery department, parts warehouse, and vinyl wrap installation facility, and is a certified MCI warranty service facility.

Revenue is generated through eight distinct streams: one-time new and used bus sales, bus parts sales (with authorized dealership for Braun, Ricon, Bus Air, Carrier, Kysor/Bergstrom, Mobile Climate Control, and others), full-service maintenance and collision repair, custom paint and vinyl wrap services, bus leasing with lease-to-own options, short and long-term bus rentals, in-house financing, and bus trade-ins. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct-to-consumer, combining an e-commerce-style website with daily-updated inventory, a toll-free 800-number sales line, dedicated sales managers, and a nationwide delivery logistics operation.

The customer base spans over 30 industry verticals, with K-12 school districts and education-sector transportation providers representing a visibly dominant share of testimonials and repeat buyers, complemented by churches, tour operators, casinos, hotels, hospitals, daycare centers, sports teams, and commercial shuttle operators. The business model emphasizes one-stop-shop convenience across the vehicle lifecycle, supported by 30-day bumper-to-bumper warranties, extended warranties up to 5 years covering major drivetrain components, and OEM-authorized parts and service relationships. The company is family-owned with no disclosed institutional investors, private equity backing, or external funding rounds, indicating a bootstrapped, organically grown operation.

Name

National Bus Sales

Legal name

National Bus Sales, Inc.

Website

https://nationalbus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Bus Sales is a privately held, full-service bus dealership and service center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1989. It sells, leases, rents, services, and customizes new and used buses across school, shuttle, motorcoach, and van categories, serving customers nationwide plus Canada and Mexico, with its proprietary Ultra Coachliner® luxury motorcoach brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bus Dealership

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Bus & Coach Aftermarket Parts & Refurbishment Manufacturing (IMACADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bus Body & Coachbuilder / Bus Body Assembly (IMACADAH), Coach & Bus Charter Fleet Rental (With/Without Driver) (TLABADAE), Intercity Coach Leasing & Rental Providers (TLAFAFAK)

Keywords

• New and used buses
• School bus dealership
• Shuttle bus sales
• Motorcoach leasing
• Commercial fleet services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bus Sales (New and Used): Primary revenue stream from selling new and used buses including school buses, coach buses, shuttle buses, activity buses, motorcoaches, vans, and specialty vehicles. Inventory includes brands like Blue Bird, Thomas, International, MCI, Ultra Coachliner, and others.
2. Bus Parts Sales: Sales of replacement parts for school buses, coach buses, and shuttle buses. Parts include belts, filters, brake pads, engine components, A/C parts, and more. Authorized dealer for Braun wheelchair lifts, Ricon lifts, Bus Air, Trans/Air, Mobile Climate Control, Carrier, Kysor/Bergstrom, and Omega-USA.
3. Bus Service and Maintenance: Full-service maintenance, engine and drivetrain replacement, paint and body repair, collision repair, bus reconditioning, and mobile bus service. Operates 18-bay service facility with certified technicians.
4. Custom Graphics and Vinyl Wraps: Custom paint jobs, vinyl bus wraps, and graphic design services for vehicle branding. In-house design team and installation facility.
5. Bus Leasing: Flexible bus leasing with customized financing, flexible payment terms, small security deposits, and lease-to-own options. Covers shuttle buses, coach buses, school buses, and Ultra Coachliner models.
6. Bus Rentals: Short-term and long-term bus rentals including shuttle buses, school buses, coach buses, activity buses, mini-buses, and Ultra Coachliners. Weekly, monthly, and yearly rental options available.
7. Financing Services: In-house financing options and credit applications for bus purchases. Works with customers to provide customized payment plans.
8. Bus Trade-ins / We Buy Buses: Purchases pre-owned school buses, passenger buses, transit buses, and specialty buses from customers looking to sell their vehicles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

National Bus Sales sells new and used buses including school buses, activity buses, shuttle buses, motorcoaches, vans, and its proprietary Ultra Coachliner® luxury coach brand, sourced from manufacturers such as Blue Bird, Thomas, International, MCI, Prevost, and others. The company also sells replacement bus parts as an authorized dealer for brands including Braun, Ricon, Cummins, Allison, and multiple HVAC manufacturers. Beyond vehicle and parts sales, the company delivers in-house service and maintenance, engine and drivetrain replacement, paint and bodywork, collision repair, vinyl wraps and custom graphics, leasing, rentals, financing, and warranty programs.

Product overview

National Bus Sales operates as a full-service bus dealership offering new and used buses for sale, lease, and rent across all 50 states. The product portfolio centers on the proprietary Ultra Coachliner luxury motorcoach brand alongside school buses, activity buses, shuttle buses, motorcoaches, and vans from third-party manufacturers. The company provides an integrated ecosystem of services including bus parts sales, maintenance and repair, paint and body work, vinyl wraps and custom graphics, bus leasing, bus rentals, warranty programs, and financing. This one-stop-shop approach allows customers to purchase, customize, service, and maintain their bus fleets through a single provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ultra Coachliner: A luxury motorcoach brand offering premium features including plush seating, modern entertainment systems, ample luggage space, Cummins diesel engines, full air ride suspension, and advanced safety features. Available in SE, SE 102, DX, and DXL models with seating for 42-56 passengers.

Products and services

• Ultra Coachliner® National Bus Sales' proprietary luxury motorcoach brand featuring seats for 42-56 passengers (or 54 with lavatory), Cummins 6.7L or 9.0L diesel engines, up to 556 cubic feet of luggage capacity, full air ride suspension, premium ride control stabilization, USB/110V outlets, and optional O2 Safe Technology Clean Air System. Offered in SE, SE 102, DX, and DXL models targeting tour operators, charter services, and organizations seeking traditional-coach quality at lower acquisition and operating cost.
• School Buses New and used school buses including conventional, transit, minibus, MFSAB, and special needs configurations from manufacturers such as Blue Bird, International, Thomas, and Collins. Pricing for new units ranges from $90,000 to $140,000 depending on configuration and engine type. Primary buyers include public and private K-12 school districts needing student transportation fleets.
• Activity Buses Multi-purpose activity buses from brands including Blue Bird, Thomas, and International sold to churches, sports teams, tour operators, and organizations requiring versatile passenger transportation.
• Shuttle Buses Commercial shuttle buses with 8-37 passenger capacity, including non-CDL options, sold to hotels, casinos, healthcare facilities, childcare centers, corporate operators, and other commercial users. New shuttle bus pricing ranges from $75,000 to $150,000+.
• Motorcoaches Premium coach buses from MCI, Prevost, Setra, Volvo, and Van Hool for luxury travel and touring applications. New motor coach pricing ranges from $400,000 to $750,000 depending on size, make, model, and features.
• Vans (Dodge ProMaster / Ram ProMaster) Passenger vans, commercial work vans, and mobility/ADA-compliant vehicles built on the Dodge ProMaster and Ram ProMaster platform.
• Bus Parts Replacement parts for school buses, coach buses, and shuttle buses including belts, filters, brake pads, engine components, A/C parts, and OEM parts. Authorized dealer for Braun wheelchair lifts, Ricon lifts, Bus Air, Trans/Air, Mobile Climate Control, Carrier, Kysor/Bergstrom, and Omega-USA. First-time customers receive 10% off, free ground shipping on orders over $175, and price-matching is available.
• Bus Service & Maintenance Full-service fleet maintenance, engine and drivetrain replacement, preventive maintenance, and mobile bus service delivered through the National Truck & Bus service division. Operated from an 18-bay service facility with certified technicians. Service specials include DPF/DOC with oil change at $750 with same-day service, fuel system clean at $320 with same-day service, and Allison school bus transmission service at $400 with same-day service.
• Paint & Body / Collision Repair State-of-the-art body shop with 55 ft paint booth offering collision repair, full bus reconditioning, and custom paint services for bus fleets. Operates as part of the National Truck & Bus service division.
• Vinyl Wraps & Custom Graphics Custom vinyl wraps, paint protection film, and graphic design services to customize bus exteriors with organizational branding, logos, and color schemes. Delivered by an in-house design team and dedicated wrap installation facility.
• Bus Leasing Flexible bus leasing covering shuttle buses, school buses, coach buses, and Ultra Coachliner models with customized financing, flexible payment terms, small security deposits, and lease-to-own options. Focus is on building long-term client relationships beyond the initial lease term.
• Bus Rentals Short-term and long-term bus rentals covering shuttle buses, school buses, coach buses, activity buses, mini-buses, and Ultra Coachliners with weekly, monthly, and yearly options. Rentals may include features such as wheelchair lifts, Wi-Fi, A/C, and audio/video equipment.
• Bus Warranty Warranty programs including a 30-day bumper-to-bumper warranty on most buses plus National Bus Sales Quality Guarantee extended warranty options up to 5 years covering engine, transmission, differential, turbo, and aftertreatment, and manufacturer warranty support.
• Bus Financing Financing options and credit applications for bus purchases through trusted partners, with flexible loan and lease terms tailored for school districts, contractors, and private organizations.
• Sell Your Bus Service in which National Bus Sales purchases pre-owned school buses, coach buses, passenger buses, transit buses, and specialty buses from customers, with nationwide pickup and competitive pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ultra Coachliner costs only a fraction to own and operate compared to traditional coach buses with 50% less maintenance and 50% less downtime
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Braun (BraunAbility)coreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized dealer for Braun wheelchair lifts. The partnership enables National Bus Sales to install, repair, and service Braun wheelchair accessible vehicles and commercial lift products for accessibility-focused bus configurations.
• RiconcoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized parts dealer and service provider for Ricon wheelchair lifts. Enables installation, repair, and service capabilities for accessibility equipment on buses sold and serviced by National Bus Sales.
• Bus Air / Trans/AirsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized parts dealer for Bus Air and Trans/Air air conditioning systems. Ensures availability of HVAC parts and service for bus climate control systems.
• Mobile Climate ControlsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized parts dealer for Mobile Climate Control bus HVAC systems. Provides parts and service support for climate control solutions.
• CarriersupportingTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized parts dealer for Carrier air conditioning systems. Ensures availability of Carrier HVAC parts across bus inventory.
• Kysor/BergstromsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized parts dealer for Kysor/Bergstrom climate control and HVAC systems. Supports parts availability and service for these bus air conditioning brands.
• Omega-USAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized parts dealer for Omega-USA air conditioning and climate control products. Expands parts inventory for bus HVAC systems.
• CumminscoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized service provider for Cummins engines. Parts and service coverage for Cummins-powered buses including engine repairs, injector cleaning, turbo service, and comprehensive engine maintenance.
• Detroit DieselsupportingTechnology or IntegrationParts and service coverage for Detroit diesel engines in bus applications. Supports engine repair and maintenance for Detroit-powered buses.
• International/NavistarcoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized parts and service provider for International/Navistar buses. Comprehensive support for engine, transmission, and body parts for International-brand buses.
• Allison TransmissionsupportingTechnology or IntegrationService provider for Allison transmissions. Transmission replacement, fluid changes, and repair services for Allison-equipped buses.
• MCI (Motor Coach Industries)coreTechnology or IntegrationCertified MCI warranty service facility. Authorized to perform warranty repairs and service on MCI motorcoaches. Parts and service support for MCI buses.
• PrevostsupportingTechnology or IntegrationParts and service support for Prevost luxury coaches. Coverage for Prevost bus models in sales and service operations.
• Van HoolsupportingTechnology or IntegrationParts and service support for Van Hool buses. Coverage for Van Hool coach bus models.
• Blue BirdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor bus brand sold through National Bus Sales inventory. Blue Bird school buses and activity buses are key product offerings with significant representation in inventory.
• Thomas Built BusescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor bus brand (Thomas) sold through National Bus Sales. Includes Thomas C2, Thomas Minotour, Thomas HDX, and other Thomas models.
• Jasper Engines & TransmissionssupportingTechnology or IntegrationParts distributor for Jasper engines and transmissions. Supports engine and drivetrain replacement services.
• SkylinesupportingTechnology or IntegrationParts supplier for Skyline DPF and DOC modules. Current promotional partnership with 10% off all Skyline DPF and DOC modules.
• PirellisupportingTechnology or IntegrationTire supplier for bus applications. National Bus Sales is the #1 source for tires, supplying replacement tires for all bus types.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Blue Bird Corporation: Blue Bird is one of the largest school bus manufacturers in North America and a core brand in National Bus Sales' new and used bus inventory. Comparable as the OEM whose products form a major share of NBS's school bus business, with their own dealer network that competes with and depends on NBS.
• Thomas Built Buses: Thomas Built Buses is a leading North American school bus manufacturer (Daimler Truck subsidiary) producing the C2, Minotour, and HDX lines that are key inventory items at National Bus Sales. Comparable as a major OEM partner and indirect competitor through their own dealer network.
• IC Bus (Navistar): IC Bus is Navistar's school and commercial bus brand, selling CE and RE series buses through authorized dealers including National Bus Sales. Comparable as an upstream OEM whose products compete with and complement NBS's new school bus inventory.
• REV Group: REV Group is a specialty vehicle manufacturer owning Collins Bus, Eldorado National, and other bus brands serving school, shuttle, and paratransit markets. Comparable as an OEM group whose products overlap with NBS's shuttle and school bus inventory and which operates its own dealer/service footprint.
• Starcraft Bus: Starcraft Bus is a commercial shuttle bus manufacturer whose products appear in National Bus Sales' inventory. Comparable as an OEM whose buses are sold through NBS and competing dealers; represents the upstream supply relationship that NBS depends on.
• Grech Motors: Grech Motors is a U.S. luxury shuttle bus and minibus manufacturer whose products overlap with the shuttle bus inventory at National Bus Sales. Comparable as an upstream partner/competitor in the premium shuttle bus category, with dealer-distributed inventory similar to NBS's shuttle offerings.

Direct peers

• Hemphill Brothers Coach Company: Hemphill Brothers is a Nashville-based motorcoach sales, leasing, and charter company operating one of the largest private motorcoach fleets in the U.S. Highly comparable to National Bus Sales on the coach sales and rental/lease side, with overlapping premium coach customer segments.
• Midwest Bus Sales: Midwest Bus Sales is a multi-brand bus dealership offering new and used school buses, parts, and service to school districts and commercial buyers across the Midwest. Highly comparable business model to National Bus Sales as an independent, multi-OEM dealer serving similar customer verticals.
• Northwest Bus Sales: Northwest Bus Sales is an independent school bus and shuttle bus dealer serving school districts and commercial operators in the Pacific Northwest with new, used, and refurbished bus inventory. Direct peer to National Bus Sales as a regional independent dealership with overlapping product mix and customer segments.

Emerging players

• BusBank: BusBank is an online charter bus rental marketplace connecting group travelers with charter bus operators across North America. Comparable to National Bus Sales on the bus rental/charter side but operates as a digital intermediary rather than an asset-heavy dealer; represents a different go-to-market for the same underlying demand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/usedschoolbuses
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nationalbussales
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalbus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-bus-sales-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/national.bus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Bus Sales