From School Bus Chrome to School Bus Glossy Yellow

The answer every parent needs to have

If you live in the United States, you know that school buses are always yellow. Most adults don’t really think about why, but kids are naturally curious, so we’re going to give you the answer to the question that every parent will be asked at some point or another, “why is the school bus yellow?”

The school bus yellow

First of all, if we’re going to answer the question about why school buses are yellow, we need to determine if they really are yellow. We want you to be thorough when you answer and teach your children the history of the school bus color choice.

From school bus chrome to school bus yellow

In 1939, school buses became standardized, which means they all had to meet certain safety regulations and guidelines. Before 1939, school buses were any vehicle that was used to transport children to and from school, and these vehicles came in every color. However, once 1939 rolled around, regulations were imposed that made every school bus yellow. Although, back then, the correct term for the color was “national school bus chrome.” The school bus chrome was a pure bright glossy yellow, much like a lemon. However, over time, the yellow was softened and became a bit warmer. The school bus yellow that we see on today’s school buses is more reminiscent of a mango yellow than a lemon yellow. However, no one is going to start calling referring to the color as “school bus mango,” so for all intents and purposes, we still say yellow.

Yellow is an attention grabber

Look, we could talk color nuances all day long, but the truth is, whether it’s pure yellow, mango, or a yellow/orange hybrid, the reason for the color choice isn’t so much about fashion as it is about safety.

Safety is the first concern for school buses, not just for the kids that are inside, but for all the vehicles and pedestrians surrounding the bus on the road. When choosing the right color for a school bus, the logical choice is a color that will grab the attention of everyone around. When it comes to color, yellow is an attention grabber. Yellow is the first color that people are going to notice before any other color. When all other colors are obscured by weather or lack of light, yellow is still going to be seen. By making the bus yellow, you are ensuring that everyone around is aware of the school bus and will take precaution.

Yellow increases safety

The color yellow, as classic and comforting as it has become, is going to increase the safety of the school bus. By making sure that the bus is visible, both when in motion or when stopped to pick up or drop off, all cars and pedestrians are aware and can make adjustments to their own driving or walking.

The best yellow school buses in the industry

It’s hard not to see yellow without thinking of a school bus, but another symbol that most everyone will recognize is the Blue Bird logo. Blue Bird is synonymous with school buses and has been for decades. For the best school buses in the industry, talk to a sales rep about our Blue Bird school buses.