IC Bus vs. Collins Bus: Head-to-Head Comparison
When it comes to school bus manufacturers, two companies stand out from the pack. IC Bus and Collins Bus are both leaders in the North American school bus industry, thanks to reputations for quality, reliability, innovation, and customer service. But while these companies have a lot in common when it comes to excellence in their fields, they vary significantly in the products they offer and the purposes their vehicles serve.
In this article, our experts provide a head-to-head comparison of IC Bus and Collins Bus. You’ll learn about each company’s specialties, along with the technology and support options they offer. We also provide guidance on which company may be the right manufacturer for your school bus needs.
Company Overviews
Before getting into direct comparisons of specific features of each company, we wanted to provide some basic information about IC Bus and Collins Bus. In the table below, you’ll find an overview of both companies.
| IC Bus | Collins Bus | |
| Headquarters | Lisle, Illinois | South Hutchinson, Kansas |
| Manufacturing Location | Tulsa, Oklahoma | South Hutchinson, Kansas |
| Founding Date | 2002 | 1967 |
| Owner Company | International Motors | Forest River |
| Product Specialty | Full-size school buses (Type C) | Small-capacity and accessibility buses (Type A) |
IC Bus Summary
Founded in 2002, IC Bus has roots dating back to 1933, when it started life as Ward Body Works. Today, the company is an industry leader in the manufacture of full-size Type C school buses. IC Bus is also known for its alternative-fuel school bus options.
Collins Bus Summary
Since its inception in 1967, Collins has focused primarily on smaller buses. The company was one of the first manufacturers to produce a van-based school bus. Collins is considered a pioneer of the Type A bus and implementing accessibility features into its vehicles — a reputation it still holds today.
Bus Lineup Comparison: IC Bus vs. Collins Bus
IC Bus and Collins specializes in different segments of the school bus market. We’ve outlined each company’s core product lineup in the table below.
| Feature | IC Bus | Collins Bus |
| Types of Buses | Type C | Type A |
| Passenger Capacity | Up to 83 | Up to 30 |
| Fuel Types | Diesel, gasoline, electric | Gasoline, propane |
| Use Cases | Daily school routes, long-distance travel | Accessibility buses for schools, short routes, private schools, daycares |
IC Bus vs. Collins Bus: Equipment Comparison
IC Bus and Collins are considered innovators in their respective market segments. Both manufacturers offer advanced safety and technological features that come standard with their school bus models or can be added to them.
Safety Features
IC buses are built with integrated chassis and bodies, which provides enhanced structural integrity and better protects passengers in the event of a collision or rollover. In general, school buses built by IC are known for their durability and reliability.
Collins Bus has focused solely on the cutaway van chassis and has developed a celebrated reinforced safety cage to strengthen the body of its vehicles. The company’s Type A school buses feature a low center of gravity, which increases overall stability and greatly reduces the risk of rollover.
Technology Features
IC Bus can outfit its vehicles with advanced driver assistance technology. Features like 360° cameras and collision avoidance systems can provide a safer, more regulated driving experience.
Accessibility technology is a key feature of Collins buses. The company continues to develop designs for technology like wheelchair lifts and kneeling capability to provide a better rider experience for people with accessibility needs.
Collins Bus vs. IC Bus: Customer Service Comparison
Both Collins Bus and IC Bus have reputations for strong customer support. Like their products, however, each company caters to different markets and goes about providing customer service in different ways.
Customer support in the school bus industry extends well beyond providing assistance over the phone. A company’s service locations, who their service model is tailored to, their ability to supply parts, and the training they can provide repair technicians are all critical parts of keeping their customers’ bus fleets running smoothly and with minimal downtime.
In the table below, we provide a head-to-head comparison of customer support features for IC Bus and Collins Bus.
| Feature | IC Bus | Collins Bus |
| Dealer network | Extensive North American-wide dealership network, backed by International Motors | Regional dealership networks with a strong emphasis on building customer relationships |
| Service model | Optimized for large fleet support | Tailored to small-to-medium fleets |
| Parts support | Strong, consistent centralized parts supply chain backed by International Motors | Uses Chevrolet and Ford platforms with widely-available parts |
| Technician training | Offers International Motors-certified tech programs and support | Provides training and support through dealership networks |
IC Bus vs. Collins Bus: Which Is Best For Me?
When it comes to school bus manufacturers, both IC Bus and Collins Bus are excellent options with strong reputations for their products and service. There simply isn’t much separation when it comes to the quality of their offerings.
However, the differences in their product offerings make each one a better fit for some uses and customers than others. In this section, we outline a few common customer profiles that are excellent fits for each manufacturer.
You should consider IC Bus vehicles if:
- You need home/school transportation for public school systems or large private schools
- You want to invest in alternative fuel technology
- You need a high-capacity school bus for long-distance transportation
You should consider Collins Bus vehicles if:
- You need transportation for people with accessibility needs
- You want transportation for a smaller private school, daycare, or after school program
- You operate in a dense urban environment
Conclusion
The truth is that you can’t really go wrong with IC Bus or Collins Bus when it comes to getting a reliable school bus that’s backed by robust customer support. Which manufacturer is right for the needs of your organization depends on the students you serve and how you serve them.
If you’re still having a hard time choosing between the two manufacturers, our specialists at DeVivo Bus Sales will be happy to listen to your needs and situation and help you find the best possible solution.
