NTEA’s Mid-Size Bus Manufacturers Association (MSBMA) supports industry stakeholders.
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 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Freedman Seating Co. (Chicago, Illinois)
- Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (Gaffney, South Carolina)
- Halsey King & Associates Inc. (Carlsbad, California)
- High Level Enterprises Inc. (Elkhart, Indiana)
- IMMI (Westfield, Indiana)
- InterMotive Vehicle Controls (Auburn, California)
- Jaydu LLC (South Bend, Indiana)
- LA West Inc. (Statesville, North Carolina)
- LiquidSpring LLC (Lafayette, Indiana)
- Master’s Specialty Vehicles LLC (Belton, Missouri)
- Micro Bird Inc. (Drummondville, Quebec)
- MORryde International Inc.(Elkhart, Indiana)
- NEW Inc. Frontrunner Bus Group (Billerica, Massachusetts)
- Olathe Ford Sales Inc. (Olathe, Kansas)
- Oliva Torras USA Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas)
- Optimal EV (Plymouth, Michigan)
- Phoenix USA Inc.(Cookeville, Tennessee)
- Suburban Fleet Sales (Sterling Heights, Michigan)
- Techni US LLC (Indianapolis, IN)
- Trans/Air Mfg. Corp.(Dallastown, Pennsylvania)
- Transfer Flow Inc.(Chico, California)
- Turtle Top (New Paris, Indiana)
- Velvac Inc. (New Berlin, Wisconsin)
- Work Truck Total Protect (Portland, Oregon)