Who manufactures Collins buses?

Collins buses are produced by Collins Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest River, Inc. All Collins buses are assembled at Collins Industries’ 94,000-square-foot facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. Collins Industries was originally founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1967 as E-CON-O Conversion, which developed and built the first Type A school bus. In 1972, the company moved its headquarters to Hutchinson and rebranded as Collins Industries. Forest River purchased Collins Industries in January 2024.

What types of buses does Collins make?

Collins Industries manufactures Type A school buses, multi-function school activity buses (MFSABs), multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and daycare buses. Type A School Bus: The Type A School Bus has been in production since 2012 and is available in single rear-wheel (SRW) or dual rear-wheel (DRW) configurations on a Ford E-Series, Ford Transit or Chevrolet Express/GM chassis. MFSAB: The MFSAB is a non-CDL bus that provides flexibility for multiple functions and activities. The Collins MFSAB is available in SRW or DRW configurations on a Chevrolet or Ford Transit chassis. “Mini” MPV: The “Mini” MPV is a non-yellow Type A school bus designed for after-school student activities and athletics. The MPV is built on a Ford Transit SRW chassis. Daycare Bus: The Daycare Bus is a non-CDL bus designed for childcare applications. The Daycare Bus is available on a Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana or Ford Transit SRW chassis.

What is a Type A bus?

Type A buses, like the buses produced by Collins, are composed of a bus body constructed on a cutaway front section. Type A buses have a driver’s door on the left side and are designed to carry 10 or more passengers.

What engines do Collins buses use?

Depending on the model and chassis, the Collins Type A School Bus, MFSAB and Daycare Bus come spec’d with either a Ford 3.7L Gas, Ford 3.2L PowerStroke ® I-5 Turbo Diesel, Chevy/GM Vortec 4.8L Gas or Chevy/GM Vortec 6.0L Gas engine. The Collins Daycare Bus also comes with the option for a 6.0L propane engine on Chevy/GM models and the Type A School Bus Ford E-Series models are spec’d with a 6.8L EFI V-10 gas engine. The Collins “Mini” MPV is equipped with a Ford 3.5L Gas engine.

How many passengers can Collins buses hold?

Collins buses are available with multiple seating configurations, including configurations that allow for wheelchair passengers. Type A School Bus: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 34 passengers plus various available wheelchair configurations. MFSAB: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 34 passengers plus various available wheelchair configurations. “Mini” MPV: Max capacity of nine passengers or five passengers with one wheelchair. Daycare Bus: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 20 passengers. Ford E-Transit School Bus: Max capacity of 12 passengers or eight passengers with two wheelchairs.

How much do Collins buses cost?

The cost of a Collins bus can vary greatly depending on the model, seating configuration, application, power train, etc. View our new and used Collins bus inventory or contact us to receive a specific quote from one of our sales representatives based on the bus model and configuration options you are interested in. View Inventory Inquire About a Bus

What safety features are available on Collins buses?

All Collins buses have passed the rigorous Altoona Test as well as internal safety testing to ensure student safety from every angle. Interlocking cross members and interlocking floor beams create a roll cage structure that offers better rollover and side impact protection and a bus that is five times stronger. And the one-piece tubular roof bows form a sturdy shell that prevents crumpling and breakaway in the event of a rollover.

How many Collins dealerships does Rush Bus Centers have?

Rush Bus Centers is the country’s premier bus dealer network and currently operates nine full-service Collins bus dealerships in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah. View Dealerships

Is Rush Bus Centers certified to service and sell parts for Collins buses?

Our Rush Bus Centers service departments are staffed by factory-trained, ASE-certified technicians qualified to work on Type A, C and D buses. We currently have 36 dealerships certified to service and sell parts for Collins buses in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah. Find a Location

Collins Buses

Available in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah

For over 50 years Collins has delivered strong, safe, innovative and flexible bus models. From Type A school buses and daycare buses to multi-purpose activity buses, you can trust Collins to take your precious cargo and business to the next horizon. Collins buses are built on a flexible platform with a variety of seating configurations and the option of gas, diesel or propane power. Each Collins design is at the head of its class and delivers industry-leading strength and safety.

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School Buses

Collins’ Type A school bus offers safe and flexible solutions for shuttling students to and from school. With a max capacity of up to 34 passengers as well as a wide range of seating and chassis configurations, there’s a Collins school bus to fit your needs.

Type A School Bus

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Multi-Purpose Buses

Collins' multi-function school activity buses and multi-purpose vehicles are engineered to meet the demands of every trip. Whether you need to transport students to and from school, after-school activities or athletics events, the Collins MFSAB and "Mini" MPV can get you there safely.

Multi-Function School Activity Bus

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Mini Multi-Purpose Vehicle

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Childcare Buses

The Collins non-CDL daycare bus was built with little passengers in mind by expertly balancing the safest and strongest design with Collins’ trusted performance. With a capacity of up to 20 passengers and three powertrain options, the Collins daycare bus is rated as one of the most dependable daycare buses.

Daycare Bus

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Frequently Asked Questions

Collins buses are produced by Collins Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest River, Inc. All Collins buses are assembled at Collins Industries’ 94,000-square-foot facility in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Collins Industries was originally founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1967 as E-CON-O Conversion, which developed and built the first Type A school bus. In 1972, the company moved its headquarters to Hutchinson and rebranded as Collins Industries. Forest River purchased Collins Industries in January 2024.
Collins Industries manufactures Type A school buses, multi-function school activity buses (MFSABs), multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and daycare buses.
- Type A School Bus: The Type A School Bus has been in production since 2012 and is available in single rear-wheel (SRW) or dual rear-wheel (DRW) configurations on a Ford E-Series, Ford Transit or Chevrolet Express/GM chassis.
- MFSAB: The MFSAB is a non-CDL bus that provides flexibility for multiple functions and activities. The Collins MFSAB is available in SRW or DRW configurations on a Chevrolet or Ford Transit chassis.
- “Mini” MPV: The “Mini” MPV is a non-yellow Type A school bus designed for after-school student activities and athletics. The MPV is built on a Ford Transit SRW chassis.
- Daycare Bus: The Daycare Bus is a non-CDL bus designed for childcare applications. The Daycare Bus is available on a Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana or Ford Transit SRW chassis.
Type A buses, like the buses produced by Collins, are composed of a bus body constructed on a cutaway front section. Type A buses have a driver’s door on the left side and are designed to carry 10 or more passengers.
Depending on the model and chassis, the Collins Type A School Bus, MFSAB and Daycare Bus come spec’d with either a Ford 3.7L Gas, Ford 3.2L PowerStroke^® I-5 Turbo Diesel, Chevy/GM Vortec 4.8L Gas or Chevy/GM Vortec 6.0L Gas engine.

The Collins Daycare Bus also comes with the option for a 6.0L propane engine on Chevy/GM models and the Type A School Bus Ford E-Series models are spec’d with a 6.8L EFI V-10 gas engine. The Collins “Mini” MPV is equipped with a Ford 3.5L Gas engine.
Collins buses are available with multiple seating configurations, including configurations that allow for wheelchair passengers.
- Type A School Bus: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 34 passengers plus various available wheelchair configurations.
- MFSAB: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 34 passengers plus various available wheelchair configurations.
- “Mini” MPV: Max capacity of nine passengers or five passengers with one wheelchair.
- Daycare Bus: Max capacities ranging from 16 to 20 passengers.
- Ford E-Transit School Bus: Max capacity of 12 passengers or eight passengers with two wheelchairs.
The cost of a Collins bus can vary greatly depending on the model, seating configuration, application, power train, etc.

View our new and used Collins bus inventory or contact us to receive a specific quote from one of our sales representatives based on the bus model and configuration options you are interested in.

View Inventory

Inquire About a Bus
All Collins buses have passed the rigorous Altoona Test as well as internal safety testing to ensure student safety from every angle. Interlocking cross members and interlocking floor beams create a roll cage structure that offers better rollover and side impact protection and a bus that is five times stronger. And the one-piece tubular roof bows form a sturdy shell that prevents crumpling and breakaway in the event of a rollover.
Rush Bus Centers is the country’s premier bus dealer network and currently operates nine full-service Collins bus dealerships in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah.

View Dealerships
Our Rush Bus Centers service departments are staffed by factory-trained, ASE-certified technicians qualified to work on Type A, C and D buses. We currently have 36 dealerships certified to service and sell parts for Collins buses in Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Utah.

Find a Location