What Western Bus Sales does

Western Bus Sales is a privately held, family-owned commercial bus dealership and service company headquartered in Boring, Oregon, with a second service facility opened in Redmond, Oregon in November 2024. Incorporated in 1974 and an authorized Blue Bird dealer since 1972, the company distributes new and used school and commercial buses from Blue Bird (Type C and Type D platforms including Vision and All American) and Micro Bird by Girardin (Type A platforms including G5, MB-II, T-Series, S-Series, D-Series, and CT-Series). Powertrain coverage spans propane autogas, CNG, gasoline, diesel, and electric, positioning the company to capture EPA Clean School Bus Program-funded fleet electrification.

The business operates four integrated revenue streams: new bus sales as an authorized dealer, used bus sales as the Pacific Northwest's used bus specialist, parts and accessories (over $600,000 in inventory with 24-hour UPS shipping), and a full-service repair operation including warranty work, preventative maintenance, paint and collision, and mobile field service staffed by factory-trained, ASE certified technicians certified for Cummins, Allison, ROUSH CleanTech, and FMCA. Its two service facilities provide 18 total service bays and the Redmond site includes an on-site propane fill station to support alternative fuel fleets.

Western Bus Sales targets Oregon and Southwest Washington, with the Redmond expansion extending reach into Central, Eastern, and Southern Oregon. Customers include public and private school districts, school bus contractors, hotel and airport shuttle operators, assisted living and paratransit operators, and corrections and government agencies. Go-to-market is direct field sales with assigned-county service coverage, supported by an online parts storefront, a technician training program, electric bus ride-and-drive events, and hands-on EPA Clean School Bus Program application assistance. The company is owned by four family shareholders, with second-generation leadership in place since 2008 under President Mollie Blagg and Director of Sales Sarah Jones.

Name

Western Bus Sales

Legal name

Western Bus Sales, Inc.

Website

https://www.westernbus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Western Bus Sales is a family-owned, authorized Blue Bird and Micro Bird by Girardin bus dealership and service company based in Oregon that sells new and used school and commercial buses, parts, and full repair services to school districts, contractors, and commercial fleet operators across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School Bus Dealership

NAICS

Motorcycle, Boat, and Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (44122)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Intercity/Coach (Touring) Bus Manufacturing (IMACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Shuttle/Paratransit & Community Bus Manufacturing (IMACADAD)

Keywords

• School bus sales
• Commercial bus dealership
• Vehicle service repair
• Alternative fuel buses
• Bus parts distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Boring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New Bus Sales: Sales of new Blue Bird and Micro Bird school and commercial buses as authorized dealer. Revenue from vehicle acquisition including various fuel types and configurations.
2. Used Bus Sales: Pacific Northwest's used bus experts with broad used bus inventory including school, activity, commercial, child care categories.
3. Parts Sales: Factory parts and accessories for all makes and models of school and commercial buses. Over $600,000 in parts inventory on hand. Shipping via UPS within 24 hours.
4. Vehicle Service and Repair: Full-service vehicle repair including warranty repairs, preventative maintenance, engine repair, brake service, electrical troubleshooting. Factory-trained and ASE certified technicians.
5. Paint & Collision Repair: Certified technicians using factory-approved materials for repairs from minor touch-ups to full body rebuilds. Available at both Boring and Redmond locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Western Bus Sales is an authorized Blue Bird and Micro Bird by Girardin dealer selling new school, commercial, and multi-purpose buses across Oregon and Southwest Washington. The company also distributes used buses and aftermarket parts, and operates factory-trained service centers in Boring and Redmond offering vehicle repair, preventative maintenance, paint and collision repair, mobile field service, and technician training.

Product overview

Western Bus Sales is a family-owned bus dealership and service company serving Oregon and Southwest Washington since 1974. The company operates as a distributor for Blue Bird Corporation (Type C and D school buses) and Micro Bird by Girardin (Type A school buses and commercial vehicles). The product portfolio spans new and used school buses, commercial buses, and multi-purpose vehicles, along with comprehensive after-sale services including parts, repair, paint & collision, field service, and technician training. Alternative fuel options include propane autogas, CNG, and electric powertrains across various bus models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Field Service Mobile warranty service and repairs completed at customer facilities by field service technicians assigned by county coverage throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Paint & Collision Repair High-quality paint and collision repair using factory-approved materials and processes, from minor touch-ups to full body rebuilds. Available at both Boring and Redmond locations.
• Blue Bird All American Rear Engine (Type D) Full-size Type D rear engine school bus with capacities of 66-84 passengers, available with Cummins B6.7 or L9.0 diesel engines or TM4 SUMO All-Electric Powertrain, paired with Allison transmissions. Engine rear location provides serviceability, extra cooling, reduced noise, and wide stepwell for boarding ease.
• Blue Bird All American Front Engine (Type D) Full-size Type D front engine school bus accommodating 54-90 passengers, powered by Cummins B6.7 diesel engine, featuring an enhanced front service door for easy engine access.
• Blue Bird Vision (Type C) Type C conventional school bus with capacity up to 83 passengers, offering the broadest alternative fuel choices in the industry including propane, gasoline, diesel, and electric options.
• Micro Bird by Girardin G5 (Type A) Type A school bus with capacity up to 36 passengers, available with GM 6.6L gasoline, Ford 7.3L gasoline, Ford 7.3L propane, or all-electric LFP powertrain options. Includes a 5-year limited body warranty with smart safety solutions.
• Micro Bird by Girardin MB-II (Type A) Type A school bus with patented extra wide oval body, capacity 9-20 passengers, the widest Type A school bus in class and only lift-equipped single rear wheel vehicle on the market. Available with GM or Ford engine options.
• Micro Bird by Girardin T-Series (Type A) All-new Type A school bus featuring modern ergonomics, improved fuel economy, and maintenance-friendly upgrades, built on a Ford Transit Cutaway chassis.
• Micro Bird by Girardin G5 MFSAB Multi-Function School Activity Bus (MFSAB) version of the G5 with capacity up to 36 passengers, suitable for ambulatory and special needs transportation.
• Micro Bird by Girardin MB-II MFSAB Multi-Function School Activity Bus (MFSAB) version of the MB-II with capacity up to 20 passengers, the only lift-equipped single rear wheel MFSAB vehicle on the market.
• Micro Bird by Girardin T-Series MFSAB Multi-Function School Activity Bus (MFSAB) version of the T-Series with capacity up to 25 passengers, featuring Ford Transit Cutaway chassis.
• Micro Bird MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) Multi-Purpose Vehicle for 9 passengers plus driver, built with school bus safety standards offering greater crash protection than SUVs or vans at comparable prices.
• Micro Bird S-Series Commercial Commercial bus for shuttle, transit, charter, and para-transit applications with capacity up to 12 passengers, featuring Ford E-350 or Chevrolet Express chassis.
• Micro Bird D-Series Commercial Commercial bus for shuttle, transit, charter, and para-transit applications with capacity up to 25 passengers, available with Ford or Chevrolet chassis and various powertrain options including electric.
• Micro Bird DS-Series Commercial Accessibility-focused commercial bus with ADA-compliant lifts and customizable securement options for special needs passengers, capacity up to 18 passengers or 6 wheelchairs.
• Micro Bird CT-Series Commercial Commercial bus for shuttle, transit, charter, and para-transit applications with capacity up to 17 passengers, featuring Ford Transit Cutaway chassis with gasoline or diesel options.
• Used Bus Inventory Pre-owned school, activity, commercial, child care, and other buses available for purchase as Pacific Northwest's used bus experts with broad inventory meeting diverse needs.
• Parts Sales Factory parts and accessories for all makes and models of school and commercial buses, with over $600,000 in parts inventory on hand. Online ordering available with UPS shipping within 24 hours.
• Vehicle Service and Repair Full-service vehicle repair including warranty repairs, preventative maintenance, engine repair, brake service, and electrical troubleshooting. Factory-trained and ASE certified master technicians at Boring, OR and Redmond, OR service departments with 18 total service bays.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 years serving Pacific Northwest since 1974
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Micro Bird by GirardincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009Joint venture between Girardin Minibus and Blue Bird Corporation (established 2009). Western Bus Sales expanded to include Micro Bird line of Type A school and commercial buses including G5, MB-II, T-Series, S-Series, D-Series, CT-Series. Micro Bird is headquartered in Drummondville, Quebec.
• Blue Bird CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1972Western Bus Sales has been a Blue Bird dealer since 1972. As the leading independent school bus manufacturer in North America, Blue Bird provides the primary product line including Vision, All American, and electric buses. Awarded 2012 Blue Bird Dealer of the Year.
• CumminscoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Cummins Full Service Dealer providing engine sales, parts, and warranty service for Cummins diesel engines used in Blue Bird and other buses.
• Portland General ElectricminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Electric School Bus Program providing funding and support for districts transitioning to electric buses.
• Blue Bird Energy Services Powered by InChargeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy services partner for electric school bus charging infrastructure through Blue Bird portal.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sonny Merryman: Sonny Merryman is one of the largest Blue Bird school bus dealers in the United States, headquartered in Salem, Virginia. As a long-standing Blue Bird/Micro Bird dealer offering new and used buses, parts, and full-service operations, it directly parallels Western Bus Sales' business model across a different region.
• BusWest: BusWest is a regional commercial and school bus dealer serving California and the broader Western United States with new and used buses plus service operations. Geographic proximity and a similar dealer business model make it a directly comparable peer to Western Bus Sales.

Broad incumbents

• Blue Bird Corporation: Blue Bird is the leading independent school bus manufacturer in North America and Western Bus Sales' primary OEM partner since 1972. While Blue Bird manufactures rather than retails, its product roadmap, dealer network strategy, and competitive positioning against Thomas Built and IC Bus directly determine Western Bus Sales' product access and competitive standing.
• Thomas Built Buses: Thomas Built Buses, a Daimler Truck North America subsidiary, is the principal competing school bus OEM to Blue Bird. Their Saf-T-Liner and other models compete for the same school district customers through an independent dealer network, and Western Bus Sales must position Blue Bird/Micro Bird against Thomas products in the Pacific Northwest.
• IC Bus: IC Bus is Navistar's school and commercial bus brand and another major competitor to Blue Bird and Thomas. Its CE Series and other models compete for the same school district and commercial fleet customers through a separate dealer network, framing the competitive environment Western Bus Sales operates in.
• Micro Bird by Girardin: Micro Bird by Girardin is a Canadian Type A school and commercial bus manufacturer, a Blue Bird joint venture. Western Bus Sales is an authorized Micro Bird dealer for Oregon and Southwest Washington, providing the Type A portion of its portfolio that complements the larger Type C/D Blue Bird products.
• Collins Bus Corporation: Collins Bus Corporation is a Kansas-based manufacturer of Type A school buses and specialty vehicles. While Western Bus Sales sells Micro Bird Type A products, Collins competes for the same small-bus segment through its own dealer network, including in the Pacific Northwest.

Others

• Cummins: Cummins is a leading diesel engine manufacturer and Western Bus Sales is certified as a Cummins Full Service Dealer. While not a direct competitor, Cummins' powertrain technology decisions, warranty programs, and dealer support structure materially shape Western Bus Sales' service economics and product portfolio.
• ROUSH CleanTech: ROUSH CleanTech manufactures propane autogas fuel systems for school and commercial buses. As a ROUSH CleanTech certified dealer, Western Bus Sales relies on their propane technology for its alternative fuel offering, and ROUSH's product roadmap directly affects Western Bus Sales' competitive position in propane conversions.
• Allison Transmission: Allison Transmission is a leading manufacturer of automatic transmissions for commercial vehicles, and Western Bus Sales is certified as an Allison Quick Lube Dealer. Allison's transmission technology and warranty support shape the service offerings and product configurations Western Bus Sales can deliver to customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Western Bus Sales