Motorcoaches are Most Fuel-Efficient U.S. Transportation Sector, New Study Reveals

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2007; Motorcoaches are the most fuel-efficient transportation mode in the United States, according to a new study authored by Nathan Associates and released today by the American Bus Association Foundation.

The motorcoach industry provided 148.4 passenger miles per gallon of fuel in 2004, the study reported, more than double the second most fuel-efficient sector, intercity trains at 74.1 passenger MPG. Total transit achieved 55.8 passenger MPG, air carriers achieved 40.9 passenger MPG, and automobiles achieved 35.4 passenger MPG.

"As energy conservation and environmental issues take center stage in Congress and with the traveling public, the motorcoach industry is proud to be the leader in transportation fuel efficiency," American Bus Association President Peter J. Pantuso said. "Motorcoaches are striving to do their part to help the U.S. achieve energy security."

The new study, titled "2006 Annual Report: Impacts of the Motorcoach Industry on Society and the Economy," was produced by respected research firm Nathan Associates. It is the second annual study, updating data included in the 2005 report. The ABA Foundation is the research and charitable arm of the ABA.

"The motorcoach transportation service industry is the number one people mover," the study reports. "In 2005 the industry carried 631,000,000 passengers in the United States and Canada alone. The motorcoach transportation service industry carries one-fourth more passengers than the airline industry and twice more than Amtrak and commuter rail combined," according to the study.

To read the full report, click HERE

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1000 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,600 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.