Why the All American RE Is the Top Selling School Bus in America
The Blue Bird All American RE has outsold every other transit-style school bus in the United States for decades. That is not a marketing claim. It is a fact that shows up in every annual registration count and fleet survey the industry publishes. The All American school bus category is led by this single rear-engine platform, and the reasons come down to three things: visibility, turning radius, and configurability.
Driver Visibility That Reduces Risk
The RE places the engine behind the rear axle, which means the driver sits at the very front of the vehicle with an unobstructed 180-degree forward view. In a conventional bus, the long hood creates a blind zone directly in front of the bumper. On the All American RE, the driver can see the ground immediately ahead of the bus, which matters in school zones, crosswalks, and tight drop-off loops where children are walking near the vehicle.
Blue Bird pairs the flat-nose design with a mirror system that gives the driver a clear view down both sides of the bus and into the front wheel area. The mirror heads are mounted at eye level and sized to show the full length of the body without forcing the driver to scan multiple small mirrors. This combination of forward visibility and side awareness is one reason the RE is the preferred transit-style platform for districts that prioritize student safety during loading and unloading.
Turning Radius and Maneuverability
The All American RE turns with a 50-degree wheel cut, which produces the tightest turning radius in the transit-style school bus category. That matters on routes with cul-de-sacs, narrow rural roads, and urban turnaround points where a conventional bus would need multiple-point turns. Drivers who transition from a conventional hood-forward bus to the RE notice the difference immediately in how the rear-engine layout changes the pivot point.
For districts in Louisiana and across the Gulf South, where narrow parish roads and tight school driveways are common, the RE's turning radius is a practical advantage, not just a spec sheet number. Ross Bus has delivered All American RE buses to districts specifically because the turning radius allowed them to use a transit-style bus on routes that previously required a smaller conventional vehicle.
Configurability Across Three Fuel Platforms
The blue bird all american RE is available in diesel, CNG, and electric powertrains, all on the same body platform. That means districts do not have to choose a different bus model to switch fuels. The diesel RE runs the Cummins B6.7, the CNG RE runs the Cummins ISL-G, and the electric RE runs Blue Bird's battery-electric drivetrain. The body, the seating capacity, the structural features, and the driver ergonomics stay the same across all three.
This is a significant advantage over competitors that require a body change or a different chassis to accommodate alternative fuels. For districts that want to pilot CNG or electric on a few routes while keeping diesel as the backbone, the RE lets them do that without retraining drivers or stocking a different set of body parts. You can read a detailed breakdown of each powertrain in our All American RE fuel options comparison.
Body Construction That Holds Up in the Field
Blue Bird builds the All American with one-piece steel roof bows, formed one-piece wheel wells, and full off-the-chassis undercoating. These are not optional upgrades. They are standard on every All American that leaves the Fort Valley, Georgia plant. The one-piece construction eliminates the seam points where corrosion typically starts in buses that use multiple welded sections. In humid climates like Louisiana, that structural difference translates directly into longer body life and lower rust repair costs.
The blue bird school bus reputation for durability is not abstract. It shows up in resale values. When districts retire All American RE buses from active service, those units consistently command higher prices on the secondary market than comparable transit-style buses from other manufacturers. The structural integrity, combined with Cummins parts availability and a broad dealer network, means a used All American RE is easier to inspect, easier to repair, and easier to sell than a used competitor.
Aftermarket Support and Dealer Network
The All American RE benefits from two overlapping support networks. Cummins diesel and natural gas engines are serviced at thousands of authorized locations across North America. Blue Bird's dealer network, including Ross Bus in Louisiana, provides body, chassis, and warranty service for every RE configuration. For a district that operates across parish lines or state lines, having multiple service points within a day's drive is not a luxury. It is a requirement for keeping buses on the road during the school year.
Ross Bus has been the authorized Blue Bird dealer for Louisiana for over 40 years. We stock parts for every All American RE fuel variant, service all configurations in our Alexandria shop, and can configure a new build from the factory floor to your specifications. Call 1-800-587-9032 to speak with a fleet specialist, or browse the All American inventory to see what is available for immediate delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the All American RE considered the top-selling school bus?
The All American RE leads transit-style school bus sales because of its combination of forward visibility, tight turning radius (50-degree wheel cut), configurability across three fuel platforms, and durable body construction with one-piece steel roof bows and full off-the-chassis undercoating. These features give it broad appeal across urban, suburban, and rural districts.
What is the resale value of an All American RE after fleet service?
All American RE buses consistently command higher resale prices on the secondary market than comparable transit-style buses from other manufacturers. The structural integrity from Blue Bird's one-piece body construction, combined with Cummins parts availability and a broad dealer network, makes used RE units easier to inspect, repair, and resell.
What are the fuel options for the All American RE?
The All American RE is available in diesel (Cummins B6.7), CNG (Cummins ISL-G), and electric. Diesel offers the longest range and broadest service network. CNG provides stable fuel pricing and lower emissions for districts with natural gas infrastructure. Electric delivers zero tailpipe emissions for shorter routes with overnight depot charging.
Who is the authorized Blue Bird dealer in Louisiana?
Ross Bus, headquartered at 2913 N. Bolton Ave. in Alexandria, Louisiana, is the authorized Blue Bird dealer for the state. They have been selling and servicing Blue Bird buses for over 40 years. Contact them at 1-800-587-9032.