What bus coalition does

The Bus Coalition is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 2013 and headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated exclusively to securing federal funding for bus transit in the United States. Its core mission centers on the Federal Transit Administration's Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities program, through which it advocates for capital, replacement, and low/no-emission bus funding for public transit agencies. The coalition serves a membership of more than 900 individuals representing over 150 paying organizations, including public transit systems, bus manufacturers, vendors, startups, and state transit associations, governed by a 21-member board of transit agency CEOs and general managers.

The organization operates a tiered membership dues model ranging from $400 to $8,500, with Platinum, Gold, Transit Systems, Manufacturers, Vendors/Startups, and State Associations tiers calibrated to member type and size. It monetizes engagement through member dues and event sponsorships, including an annual DC Fly-In. Its primary distribution and influence channel is the Bipartisan Congressional Bus Caucus, which has grown to 28 members of Congress, alongside working relationships with the FTA, APTA, and CTAA. Executive leadership is led by Ed Redfern, whose 30 years of Capitol Hill experience anchors the coalition's legislative access.

Documented track record includes securing approximately $8.2 billion in federal bus funding since 2015 and facilitating 1,207 FTA Section 5339 awards since 2016. The coalition does not develop or commercialize technology products; its outputs are policy outcomes, funding allocations, member convenings, and direct advocacy services for the U.S. bus transit sector.

Name

bus coalition

Legal name

The Bus Coalition

Website

https://buscoalition.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Bus Coalition is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 2013 that advocates exclusively for federal funding for U.S. bus transit, serving 900+ members across transit agencies, manufacturers, vendors, and state associations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

West Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The organization generates revenue through tiered membership fees from transit systems, state associations, manufacturers, and industry partners. Membership categories include Platinum ($8,500), Gold ($3,500-$5,000), Transit Systems ($400-$1,750), State Associations ($1,250), Manufacturers ($5,000), Startups/Vendors ($1,500), and free Supporter tier.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Bus Coalition is a 501(c)(6) non-profit advocacy organization that advocates at the federal level for increased funding for bus transit through the FTA Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program. It sells tiered memberships to transit agencies, state associations, bus manufacturers, and industry vendors, and provides members with legislative analysis, Capitol Hill access, annual meetings, DC Fly-In events, and direct lobbying services. The coalition has secured over $8.2 billion in new federal bus capital funding since 2015 through sustained congressional advocacy.

Product overview

The Bus Coalition is a national advocacy organization (501(c)(6) non-profit) offering a tiered membership structure with varying levels of advocacy services, legislative analysis, and Capitol Hill engagement. Membership tiers include Platinum ($8,500), Gold ($3,500-$5,000), Transit Systems ($400-$1,750), State Associations ($1,250), Manufacturers & Industry ($5,000), Startups & Vendors ($1,500), and free Supporter membership. The organization provides legislative agenda services including DC Updates, Action Alerts, webinars, and Annual Meetings focused on advancing federal funding for bus transit through the FTA Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Bus Coalition Membership Tiered annual membership for transit agencies, state associations, bus manufacturers, and industry vendors that funds federal bus transit advocacy. Tiers include Platinum ($8,500), Gold ($3,500-$5,000 based on system size), Transit Systems ($400-$1,750 based on fleet size), State Associations ($1,250), Manufacturers & Industry ($5,000), Startups & Vendors ($1,500), and free Supporter. Benefits include CEO/lobbyist conference calls, special newsletters, 1:1 technical assistance, Annual Membership Meetings, Capitol Hill newsletters, website listing, DC Advocacy Call to Action Emails, and the TBC State Membership Presentation.
• Legislative Advocacy Services Federal legislative advocacy services including annual Reauthorization policy priorities, Congressional Appropriations advocacy, DC Updates newsletters, Action Alerts on pending legislation, regulatory analysis (NEPA, FTA programs), and technical assistance for Section 5339 grant applications. Provided to member organizations and the broader bus transit industry.
• Annual DC Fly-In Event Annual in-person Capitol Hill advocacy event bringing together coalition members, board members, and transit leaders for meetings with the Congressional Bus Caucus and individual Members of Congress. The 2025 inaugural event focused on launching the THUD Reauthorization legislative campaign.

Quantifiable outcome

• $8.2 billion in new federal funds secured for bus transit since 2015
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• APTA (American Public Transportation Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2021TBC works in concert with APTA on shared advocacy goals. APTA is proposing shifts in 5339 funding allocations that TBC monitors and responds to. Both organizations advocate for transit funding at the federal level.
• CTAA (Community Transportation Association of America)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2020TBC and CTAA have teamed up for annual advocacy efforts, particularly for FY21 Appropriations process. The alliance has been successful in securing over $1.24 billion in plus-up funding for bus programs over three fiscal years. TBC also participates in CTAA EXPO events and shares TBC Distinguished Service Awards with CTAA leadership.
• Bipartisan Congressional Bus CaucuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCaucus launched in November 2017 under bipartisan leadership of Co-Chairs Rep. Darin LaHood and Rep. Rick Larsen. The caucus raises awareness of bus transit needs on Capitol Hill, holds events highlighting program importance, and promotes long-term federal investment. Grown to 28 members in the 119th Congress.
• FTA (Federal Transit Administration)coreOthersTBC maintains relationships with FTA officials for grant program administration, NEPA reforms, and policy discussions. The organization advocates for transit agencies on grant deadlines, program rules, and funding levels.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Public Transportation Association (APTA): APTA is the largest US public transportation industry association, representing transit agencies, manufacturers, and suppliers across all modes (bus, rail, paratransit). TBC explicitly partners with APTA on shared advocacy goals while also competing over 5339 allocation splits, making APTA the closest peer both as collaborator and counterpart.
• Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA): CTAA is a national association representing community and small-urban transit providers. TBC has a formal strategic partnership with CTAA dating to at least 2020, jointly advocating for appropriations plus-ups and co-hosting the CTAA National EXPO where TBC engages members.
• American Bus Association (ABA): ABA represents private motorcoach and bus operators, manufacturers, and suppliers in the US. While ABA focuses on private intercity and charter bus operators, both ABA and TBC advocate for the bus industry in Washington DC and share overlapping manufacturer members (e.g., New Flyer, MCI).
• California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CALACT): CALACT is a California state-level transit association representing small and rural operators, and is named as a TBC member. Both organizations advocate for transit funding at the federal level, with CALACT operating as a state-level counterpart to TBC's national focus.

Others

• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO): AASHTO represents state departments of transportation across all modes, including transit. While AASHTO is broader than TBC and focused on state DOTs, both organizations engage in surface transportation reauthorization and appropriations advocacy that affects bus funding.
• National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO): NACTO represents city transportation officials in major US cities. While NACTO focuses primarily on street design and urban mobility policy, both organizations advocate for federal transportation funding that supports bus and transit infrastructure.
• American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA): ARTBA represents the US transportation design and construction industry, including transit infrastructure builders. While ARTBA focuses primarily on highways, it participates in the same surface transportation reauthorization debates that determine bus funding levels.

Emerging players

• Rail Passengers Association: Rail Passengers Association is a national advocacy organization focused on passenger rail, which is often a competing mode for federal transit dollars. The organization provides a useful comparison point because both compete for surface transportation reauthorization funding.
• Zero Emission Transit Association (ZETA): ZETA is an emerging advocacy organization focused on transitioning US transit fleets to zero-emission vehicles. Both ZETA and TBC advocate for federal funding that supports bus fleet modernization, and ZETA's growth signals broader interest in bus capital funding that TBC has historically championed.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RepLaHood
• Facebookfacebook.com/replahood
• Instagraminstagram.com/replahood

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about bus coalition