Mid-Size Bus Manufacturers Association (MSBMA) was formed in 1993 to improve professionalism, safety, and product quality in the mid-size bus industry. MSBMA is recognized as the voice of, and advocate for, the mid-size bus community. Mid-size buses are defined as passenger-carrying motor coaches, built on a cutaway or rail chassis or on monocoque construction, under 40 feet in length and with a gross vehicle weight rating of Class 7 or less.
Many mid-size buses are purchased with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant money. To qualify for funding, grantees must ensure their bus models have undergone the New Model Bus Testing Program — known as Altoona testing.
Since customers receiving FTA funds must prove purchased buses have undergone testing, they rely on manufacturers to provide proper verification. Under the MAP-21 Act, Altoona tests include pass/fail criteria designed to ensure a minimum performance level. As needed, MSBMA works with FTA to extend equivalence to applicable chassis to reduce testing for its members.
During meetings, routine discussion points include all aspects of upfitting, promoting, and distributing buses built on various chassis. MSBMA’s mission is to provide a neutral forum that fosters open communication among active members, suppliers, and chassis OEMs on matters relating to the mid-size bus manufacturing industry.
Eligibility
To be eligible for membership in the Division, a company, corporation or other entity must be an NTEA member in good standing and be a manufacturer or supplier engaged in the manufacture of mid-size buses for the North American market. Apply online at ntea.com/msbma (member login required). For more information, contact Division Secretary Steve Spata at steves@ntea.com.
MSBMA Steering Committee
Division Chair: Caleb Strickland, Diamond Coach
Division Vice Chair/Treasurer: Rick McMullen, Coach & Equipment Mfg Corp
Division At-Large Member: Michael Terlep, Forest River Bus LLC – Starcraft
Division Secretary: Steve Spata, NTEA
MSBMA member companies
ARBOC Specialty Vehicles LLC (Middlebury, Indiana)
AROW Global (Mosinee, Wisconsin)
Austin Hardware & Supply Inc (Lee’s Summit, Missouri)
Braun Northwest Inc (Chehalis, Washington)
Coach & Equipment Mfg Corp (Penn Yan, New York)
Diamond Coach (Oswego, Kansas)
Embassy Speciality Vehicles LLC (Elkhart, Indiana)
Endera Motors LLC (Ottawa, Ohio)
Forest River Bus LLC – Champion (Goshen, Indiana)
Forest River Bus LLC – ElDorado National (Goshen, Indiana)
Forest River Bus LLC – Elkhart Coach (Goshen, Indiana)
Forest River Bus LLC – Glaval (Elkhart, Indiana)
Forest River Bus LLC – Starcraft (Goshen, Indiana)
Forest River Bus LLC – StarTrans (Goshen, Indiana)
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp (Gaffney, South Carolina)
Halsey King & Associates Inc (Carlsbad, California)
High Level Enterprises Inc (Wakarusa, Indiana)
HSM Transportation (Huntersville, North Carolina)
IMMI (SafeGuard) (Westfield, Indiana)
InterMotive Vehicle Controls (Auburn, California)
Jaydu LLC (South Bend, Indiana)
Kelderman Manufacturing Inc (Oskaloosa, Iowa)
LA West Inc (Statesville, North Carolina)
Lippert (Mishawaka, Indiana)
LiquidSpring LLC (Lafayette, Indiana)
Master’s Motors LLC (Kansas City, Missouri)
Micro Bird Inc (Drummondville, Quebec)
MORryde International Inc (Elkhart, Indiana)
NEW Inc Frontrunner Bus Group (Billerica, Massachusetts)
Northpoint Commercial Finance (Alpharetta, Georgia)
Olathe Ford Sales Inc (Olathe, Kansas)
Oliva Torras USA Inc (Fort Worth, Texas)
Optimal EV (Plymouth, Michigan)
Phoenix USA Inc (Cookeville, Tennessee)
Techni US LLC (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Transfer Flow Inc (Chico, California)
TruPath Specialty Vehicles LLC (Elkhart, Indiana)
Turtle Top (New Paris, Indiana)
Velvac Inc (New Berlin, Wisconsin)
Work Truck Total Protect (Portland, Oregon)