Passenger Carrying Vehicles

The Passenger Carrying Vehicles program, as outlined in Line Item 821800 of the Air Force's FY 2026 budget request, is dedicated to the procurement of a variety of vehicles designed to transport personnel in support of installation and unit mission requirements. The program's primary objective is to replace aging vehicles and maintain a reliable fleet that meets the operational needs of Active Duty, Air Force Reserve (AFR), and Air National Guard (ANG) units. Procurement is managed in accordance with Air Force Instruction 24-302 and utilizes a priority buy model to determine annual requirements based on vehicle end-of-life projections, sustainment costs, and mission priorities.

Sedans are a significant component of this line item, available in compact, mid-size, and large configurations. These vehicles are used for general transportation, protocol, and administrative functions across Air Force installations. A portion of sedans is specifically allocated to the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) for investigative and operational support. The goal is to ensure personnel have access to reliable transportation for daily operations and special missions. Procurement quantities are adjusted annually to reflect fleet aging and evolving mission needs.

Law Enforcement Sedans are equipped with heavy-duty packages tailored for security forces. These vehicles support emergency response, traffic control, patrol duties, and base security operations. The objective is to provide security personnel with vehicles that meet the rigorous demands of law enforcement activities, ensuring rapid response and effective base protection. Procurement of these specialized sedans is justified by the need to maintain operational readiness and meet the unique requirements of security forces.

Ambulances include both bus ambulances and modular ambulances. Bus ambulances are converted 44-passenger buses designed for mass casualty transport during medical emergencies and humanitarian or disaster relief operations. Modular ambulances, available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, are used for patient movement under field conditions, crash rescue, and routine medical transport. The program's objective is to sustain medical evacuation capabilities and ensure timely, safe transport of patients in both routine and emergency scenarios.

Buses are procured in various sizes, ranging from 16-passenger shuttle buses to 52-passenger transit buses and intra-city motorcoaches. These vehicles support mass transit requirements for Air Education and Training Command (AETC) training units, Air Force band organizations, protocol offices, and other mission areas. The goal is to facilitate efficient movement of personnel for training, ceremonial, and operational activities. Procurement quantities reflect current and projected needs across installations.

Work buses and armored sedans are also included in this line item. Work buses provide transportation for maintenance and support teams, while armored sedans offer enhanced protection for personnel in high-risk environments. The objective for these vehicle types is to ensure mission-critical teams have reliable, safe transportation tailored to their operational requirements. Procurement decisions are based on mission priority and the need to replace vehicles that have reached the end of their service life.

The justification for the FY 2026 budget request focuses on maintaining fleet readiness and supporting a wide range of Air Force missions. The program is managed by the 441st Vehicle Support Chain Operations Squadron, which uses data-driven models to prioritize vehicle replacement and procurement. Recent increases in unit costs for transit buses, sedans, and work buses are attributed to global supply chain disruptions, inflation, and increased demand following pandemic-related production slowdowns. The program also supports financial audit readiness as required by Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D, ensuring transparency and compliance in vehicle procurement and management.