APTA Makes Bus Buying Easier with Automated White Book

APTA has released a new automated version of its Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines that provides public transit agencies with a simplified method for procuring buses through an RFP process that follows industry best practices. An automated version of the industry’s go-to procurement template was a specific recommendation of the APTA Bus Manufacturing Task Force.

The procurement of new buses is a critical purchase for every transit agency in keeping a safe and reliable fleet. Since 2010, APTA has published the Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines document, known colloquially as the “White Book,” to serve as a template for an agency’s bus procurement RFP. The procurement guidelines are written and maintained through a consensus-based process that includes transit agencies, business members, government, and APTA staff. The goal is to support standardization across technical specifications and procurement terms and to reduce the complexity of the RFP process for agencies. The White Book is widely used by transit agencies across the U.S.

The release of an automated version of the White Book makes it easier to fit the RFP to the needs of each bus purchase. By using the mail merge feature, agencies can select options through a spreadsheet, which export into a clean set of contract documents. The automated version includes individualized technical specifications for CNG, diesel, hybrid, and battery-electric buses.

The traditional and automated versions of the White Book are available on APTA’s website. Educational sessions about the automated version will be provided in 2026 through webinars, committee presentations, and conference sessions. In the meantime, for questions about using the automated White Book, contact Annabelle Swift at aswift@apta.com.