Trans Tech Bus
Trans Tech Bus is a privately held US manufacturer of Type-A school buses, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, selling through a 40+ state dealer network to school districts and pupil transportation contractors, with a pioneering all-electric product line.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersGoshen, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Trans Tech Bus does
Trans Tech Bus, Inc. is a privately held US manufacturer of Type-A school buses headquartered in Goshen, Indiana with manufacturing operations in Warwick, New York. Founded in 2007 and positioned as New York's only school bus manufacturer, the company focuses exclusively on the Type-A segment — the smaller, more maneuverable class of school bus — across a product family that includes the SST (the most popular model), Trans Star (Ford Transit-chassis), MFSAB, ChildCare, and MPV. Its core technology centers on signature aerodynamic design, narrow-body dual-wheel platforms, 14-gauge pan-formed galvanized steel floors, bolted safety-cage construction, and the proprietary Versa-Track seating system accommodating 9 to 30 passengers; the company launched the first all-electric Type-A school bus in 2011 and introduced the SST-E in October 2023 using Optimal-EV's powertrain and Proterra batteries.
The company sells exclusively through a network of independent dealerships across more than 40 US states, Canada, and South Korea, with sales cycles that involve fleet-level customization and multi-bus orders (e.g., 75-unit deliveries to Logan Bus Company, 100-bus-per-year supply to J.S. Alliance of South Korea). Revenue is generated primarily from new bus sales, supplemented by a parts department accessed through local dealers and a direct phone channel. Primary customer segments are US school districts and pupil transportation contractors; a growing secondary segment consists of districts in states with electric bus mandates, particularly New York and California.
Ownership was consolidated in November 2022 when President John Phraner and Trans Group owner John Corr completed the buyout of shares held by the Marksohn family. The company is an operating brand within the Forest River commercial vehicle family and pursues trade show-led demand generation (NAPT, NYAPT), a Dealer of the Year program, and a corporate website with product content and dealer locator functionality. Strategic positioning is centered on capturing regulatory-driven electric school bus demand from 2027 onward while defending its Type-A niche through differentiated design and dealer coverage.
Trans Tech Bus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Trans Tech Bus
- Legal name
- Trans Tech Bus, Inc.
- Website
- https://transtechbus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Trans Tech Bus is a privately held US manufacturer of Type-A school buses, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, selling through a 40+ state dealer network to school districts and pupil transportation contractors, with a pioneering all-electric product line.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Trans Tech Bus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- School Bus Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing (3361), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- School Bus Manufacturing (IMACADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Electrification & Alternative Fuels for School Fleets (EV Buses, Charging, CNG) (EDAEADAJ)
Keywords
Where Trans Tech Bus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Goshen
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Trans Tech Bus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- School Bus Sales: Trans Tech generates primary revenue from manufacturing and selling Type-A school buses, multifunction school activity buses (MFSAB), and commercial buses. Sales occur through dealer network and direct fleet sales.
- Parts Sales: Parts department provides replacement parts through local dealerships and direct contact. Parts are sourced through dealer network.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Trans Tech Bus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Trans Tech Bus manufactures Type-A school buses including conventional diesel, near-zero emission, and all-electric variants. The company offers a lineup of single-wheel and dual-wheel models (SST, Trans Star, MFSAB, ChildCare, MPV) featuring a signature aerodynamic design, Versa-Track seating system, and pan-formed galvanized steel floors. Products are sold through an independent dealer network covering over 40 US states and select international markets.
Product overview
Trans Tech Bus manufactures industry-leading Type-A school buses, multifunction school activity buses, and Altoona-tested commercial buses. The company offers the industry's only narrow-body dual-wheel along with a family of single and dual wheel models. Product lineup includes the SST (most popular model), Trans Star (Ford Transit-based), MFSAB, ChildCare, and MPV. The company is known for innovative near-zero and zero emissions conversion school buses, with the SST-E representing their all-electric offering. All buses feature Versa Track seating system (9-30 passengers), pan-formed floors, and bolted safety-cages for enhanced protection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SST (Type-A School Bus) Trans Tech's most popular Type-A school bus featuring a dual-wheel platform, signature aerodynamic design, industry-leading fuel efficiency, optional flat-floor for wheelchair accessibility, and the Versa-Track seating system accommodating 9 to 30 passengers. Built for K-12 school districts and pupil transportation contractors seeking versatility, safety, and durability.
- Trans Star Customer-inspired 20-passenger dual-rear-wheel school bus built on the Ford Transit chassis, combining signature aerodynamic design with Ford's clean-diesel engine, pan-formed galvanized steel floors, and Versa-Track seating for maximum versatility in urban environments. Targeted at transportation contractors operating urban routes.
- MFSAB (Multifunction School Activity Bus) Multifunction school activity bus offering unmatched versatility with an optional flat-floor, serving preschool through high school transportation needs. Sister product to the SST within Trans Tech's Type-A family.
- ChildCare Bus Single-wheel school bus with signature aerodynamic design that improves fuel economy, built with big-bus durability and carrying up to 20 passengers with 76 inches of interior headroom. Designed for childcare and preschool transportation.
- MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) Multi-purpose vehicle built on the Ford Transit chassis with dual rear wheels, valued for maneuverability, exceptional visibility, and headroom with an entrance door opening of 26 x 76 inches. Versatile commercial vehicle variant for transport and shuttle applications.
- SST-E (All-Electric SST) All-electric version of the popular SST Type-A school bus, powered by Optimal-EV's electric powertrain with Proterra batteries, delivering zero-emission operation for school districts transitioning to electric fleets under state mandates.
- Parts Department Genuine replacement parts for Trans Tech buses sourced through local dealerships or directly via the Parts Department. Provides ongoing service and maintenance support for the installed fleet.
Quantifiable outcome
- Passenger capacity of up to 35 for Type-A school bus
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Trans Tech Bus
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Trans Tech Bus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Trans Tech Bus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Optimal-EVcoreTrans Tech partnered with Optimal-EV to develop the all-electric SST-E school bus. Optimal-EV, headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan with manufacturing in Elkhart, Indiana, provides industry-leading electric powertrain and Proterra batteries for the SST-E model. This partnership enables Trans Tech to offer zero-emission electric school buses.
- J.S. Alliance, LTDflagshipTrans Tech partnered with J.S. Alliance, LTD of Seoul, South Korea to export American yellow school buses. This is a landmark partnership as Trans Tech became the first US manufacturer to export yellow school buses to South Korea. J.S. Alliance serves as the exclusive manufacturer and supplier, with a planned supply of 100 buses per year to South Korea.
- Leonard Bus SalescoreNew York-based Trans Tech dealer with a Trans Tech-only facility in Garden City Park, NY and four full-service facilities across Upstate New York in Bergen, Deposit, Rome, and Saratoga Springs. Leonard Bus Sales has won Trans Tech Dealer of the Year award for four consecutive years.
- International Fleet SalesminorInternational Fleet Sales assisted Trans Tech in exporting school buses to South Korea, working with J.S. Alliance and General Motors on logistics and preparation for international delivery.
- ProterracoreProterra provides batteries for the all-electric SST-E school bus powered by Optimal-EV's electric powertrain. Proterra is the battery supplier enabling zero-emission capability in Trans Tech's electric buses.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Trans Tech Bus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Collins Bus Corporation: A Rev Group subsidiary and Type-A school bus specialist, marketed as a sister brand to Trans Tech via the Forest River Bus family. Competes in the same Type-A niche with overlapping dealer channels and customer base in school transportation.
- Micro Bird (Girardin): Canadian Type-A school bus manufacturer affiliated with Blue Bird, producing small and mid-size Type-A buses including electric models. Direct competitor in the Type-A school bus segment, particularly for smaller fleets and shuttle/activity applications.
- Thomas Built Buses: Daimler Truck subsidiary manufacturing the Minotour Type-A, Saf-T-Liner C2 (Type-C), and the electric Jouley. Direct competitor in the school bus market with overlapping Type-A offerings and broader commercial vehicle backing.
- Blue Bird Corporation: The largest dedicated school bus manufacturer in North America, producing Type-A (via Micro Bird), Type-C, and Type-D buses including electric versions (Vision Electric, All American Electric). Directly competes with Trans Tech across the same K-12 customer base with overlapping dealer networks and significantly larger scale.
- IC Bus (Navistar / Volkswagen Traton): A major school and commercial bus manufacturer producing the IC CE Type-A, Type-C, and Type-D buses with an electric Type-A option. Competes head-to-head with Trans Tech for school district and contractor orders, with a much larger dealer and service footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Rev Group: Specialty vehicle manufacturer and parent of Collins Bus, offering a broad portfolio of ambulances, RVs, and buses including Type-A school buses. Comparable as a multi-brand specialty vehicle platform with a direct Type-A school bus subsidiary competing against Trans Tech.
- NFI Group (New Flyer): Largest transit bus manufacturer in North America (New Flyer, MCI, Alexander Dennis), with growing electric school and shuttle bus offerings. Not a direct Type-A school bus competitor but operates in the same public-sector electrification space and adjacent electric bus category.
- Forest River Bus: Berkshire Hathaway-affiliated bus manufacturer and apparent parent-affiliate of Trans Tech (per shared website branding), offering a broader bus portfolio beyond Type-A school buses. Overlaps with Trans Tech in school and shuttle segments while extending into commercial and shuttle categories.
Emerging players
- GreenPower Motor Company: Manufacturer of all-electric school, transit, and shuttle buses, including the BEAST and Nano BEAST Type-A electric school bus. Competes with Trans Tech in the emerging electric school bus category where both are trying to capture mandate-driven demand.
- Lion Electric: Canadian manufacturer specializing in all-electric school buses (LionC) and Class 5–8 commercial EVs. Competes with Trans Tech specifically on the electric Type-A/D school bus opportunity, though with broader commercial vehicle focus and weaker distribution depth in the US.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Trans Tech Bus social profiles
Digital presenceTrans Tech Bus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Trans Tech Bus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Trans Tech Bus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Trans Tech Bus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Trans Tech Bus
What does Trans Tech Bus do?
Trans Tech Bus manufactures Type-A school buses including conventional diesel, near-zero emission, and all-electric variants. The company offers a lineup of single-wheel and dual-wheel models (SST, Trans Star, MFSAB, ChildCare, MPV) featuring a signature aerodynamic design, Versa-Track seating system, and pan-formed galvanized steel floors. Products are sold through an independent dealer network covering over 40 US states and select international markets.
Is Trans Tech Bus a public or private company?
Trans Tech Bus is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Trans Tech Bus founded?
Trans Tech Bus was founded in 2007. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Trans Tech Bus based?
Trans Tech Bus is headquartered in Goshen, United States, in the North America region.
How does Trans Tech Bus make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. School Bus Sales are the primary driver. The others are parts Sales.
Who are Trans Tech Bus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Collins Bus Corporation, Micro Bird (Girardin), Thomas Built Buses, Blue Bird Corporation and IC Bus (Navistar / Volkswagen Traton). Broad incumbents are Rev Group, NFI Group (New Flyer) and Forest River Bus. Emerging players are GreenPower Motor Company and Lion Electric.
Does Trans Tech Bus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Trans Tech Bus.
What industry is Trans Tech Bus in?
Trans Tech Bus's product category is School Bus Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACADAC, School Bus Manufacturing, with a secondary code of EDAEADAJ, Electrification & Alternative Fuels for School Fleets (EV Buses, Charging, CNG). Its NAICS code is 3361 and its SIC code is 3713.