Type C is the most common type of school bus in the United States.
A Type C bus has its body mounted on a cowled, medium-duty truck chassis, with the engine extending in front of the windshield. This gives it the familiar conventional school-bus profile: a long hood, a separate front axle, and a passenger body behind the cab. Type C buses are available in many lengths and seating capacities, making them practical for regular school routes.
The four North American school-bus categories are Types A, B, C, and D. Type A buses are smaller, van-based vehicles; Type B buses use a stripped chassis; and Type D buses are transit-style buses, often with the engine beside the driver or at the rear. Type D models can be larger, but larger does not mean more common.
The 1939 national school-bus standards helped create the consistent designs and safety features associated with American school transportation. Type C remains especially widespread because it balances capacity, cost, serviceability, and maneuverability.