Blue Bird Welcomes New Dealership in Alabama

Central States Bus Sales Opens 15,000 square-foot Sales, Parts and Service Center for School Buses, Creates 20 New Jobs in Local Community

PRATTVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, applauds Central States Bus Sales for opening a new, state-of-the-art facility to serve bus customers in Alabama. The dealership built a 15,000 square-foot Sales, Parts and Service Center creating approximately 20 new jobs in the local community. Central States Bus Sales is recognized as Blue Bird’s largest authorized dealer in North America.

“Central States is excited to represent Blue Bird school buses in the state of Alabama and expand our service footprint. Since 1975, we have proudly served thousands of Blue Bird and Micro Bird customers in select central U.S. states,” said Jeff Reitz, president and CEO of Central States Bus Sales. “Central States Bus Sales remains committed to being the dealership of choice for safe, reliable, and dependable school and commercial buses in the region.”

Central States Bus Sales sells and services the full line of Blue Bird Type A, C and D school buses, both new and pre-owned vehicles, for dependable student transportation. This includes diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric powered buses. Blue Bird’s product portfolio is considered the most extensive in the industry. With the opening of its Prattville location, Central States Bus Sales now operates in six central states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee.

The new Prattville facility features eight vehicle service bays, a full parts warehouse, and administrative offices. Blue Bird and Micro Bird customers can rely on certified sales, service, maintenance, repair, and parts support staff to ensure the safe and reliable operation of vehicles ranging from individual buses to large bus fleets.

The new dealership will create approximately 20 new jobs in the area, including administrative, sales, parts and service technician, and school bus driver positions. Open roles are posted on the Central States Bus Sales Employment website.

“We are thrilled to build on our 50-year partnership with Central States Bus Sales, Blue Bird’s 2025 Dealer of the Year,” said Tim Gordon, senior vice president of sales and marketing of Blue Bird Corporation. “The dealership staff has proven again and again that they deliver outstanding service to Blue Bird customers across various central states. Now Central States Bus Sales will also serve our valued customers in Alabama and help meet increasing demand for zero- and low-emission student transportation.”

Blue Bird customers have reported fuel costs of 79 cents per mile for diesel buses, 52 cents for propane, and just 19 cents per mile in energy costs for electric buses.

Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company remains the proven clean transportation leader with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. The shift to clean student transportation helps Blue Bird sustain approximately 2,000 good-paying U.S. jobs.

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

About Central States Bus Sales, Inc.

Central States Bus Sales, Inc. is a dealer for several manufacturers of new and used school and transit buses and is the largest Blue Bird school bus dealer in the country. We have six full-service locations in Fenton, MO; Oswego, IL; Little Rock, AR; Lebanon, TN; Lexington, KY and Prattville, AL with a complete line of parts available to keep your fleet in top condition. To learn more about our dedicated transportation solutions through exceptional service, please visit our website at www.centralstatesbus.com.