# Bison Transport

> North American Freight Carrier & Broker · Winnipeg, MB · Founded 1969

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/bison-transport/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/bison-transport/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-05-08

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## Key facts

- Founded 1969 · headquartered in Winnipeg, MB
- Privately held
- #54 on Transport Topics Top 100 (2026)
- Gross revenue: $0.335B per Transport Topics 2026
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van

## About

Bison Transport is a Winnipeg, Manitoba-based North American freight carrier and broker, established in 1969 and ranked #54 on the 2026 Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerage Firms list with $335 million in gross brokerage revenue. The brokerage operates as part of Bison Transport's broader North American network, with US asset-based capacity supplied through the Bison USA portfolio of acquired US carriers — Britton Transport (Grand Forks, ND), H.O. Wolding (Amherst, WI), Hartt Transportation (Bangor, ME), and Pottle's Transportation (Hermon, ME).

Per Transport Topics 2026, Bison Transport's brokerage moves dry van truckload as a primary mode, with active LTL, reefer, intermodal, flatbed/heavy haul, and air/expedited capability. The company's strongest lane positioning is cross-border between Canada and the United States, supplemented by cross-border Mexico capability — making it a natural fit for shippers with Canadian or trans-border supply chains. The Bison USA portfolio adds asset-based US capacity in the Northern Tier and Upper Midwest.

For shippers evaluating Bison Transport, the strongest fit is freight programs with significant Canadian or cross-border North American volume — particularly Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Maine corridors. Industries with large Canadian distribution exposure (manufacturing, food and beverage, retail, automotive, agriculture) are well served. Pure-domestic US shippers without Canadian exposure may find brokers with denser US carrier networks more competitive on rate.

## Load types

| Mode | Status |
|---|---|
| Dry Van TL | ● Primary |
| Refrigerated | ✓ Active |
| LTL | ✓ Active |
| Intermodal | ✓ Active |
| Flatbed | ✓ Active |
| Air / Expedited | ✓ Active |
| Bulk / Tank | Not offered |
| Parcel | Not offered |

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2026

## FMCSA & Licensing

FMCSA broker authority for Bison Transport's US brokerage operations is not yet cleanly mapped in our records. The Canadian parent Bison Transport Inc. (USDOT 245330, MC-156588) holds carrier authority. The TT 2026 #54 ranking covers Bison's brokerage operations, which run through the Bison USA umbrella of acquired US carriers (including Britton Transport in Grand Forks, ND; H.O. Wolding in Amherst, WI; Hartt Transportation in Bangor, ME; and Pottle's Transportation in Hermon, ME). Verify the precise broker authority entity directly at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov by searching the legal entity name before tendering a load.

## Coverage

Cross-border Canada / US / Mexico with Bison USA carrier portfolio supplying inland US capacity

**Strongest lanes:**

- US → Canada cross-border
- Canada → US cross-border
- US Northern Tier / Upper Midwest
- Cross-border Mexico

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- Strong cross-border Canada / US / Mexico capability — natural fit for trans-border supply chains
- Backed by 55+ year operating history and asset-based parent — financial stability
- Bison USA portfolio supplies dedicated asset-based capacity in Upper Midwest and Northern Tier
- Multi-mode brokerage (TL, LTL, reefer, intermodal, flatbed, expedited)
- Founded 1969 — among the longest-tenured brokers on TT Top 100

**Common complaints:**

- US broker authority entity attribution requires verification — see verificationNote
- Best fit for cross-border programs; pure-domestic US shippers may find better US-only options
- No bulk/tank, parcel, customs brokerage, or drayage services
- Net revenue not disclosed in TT 2026 — net margin not publicly visible
- Strongest density in Northern Tier — thinner in deep South / Southwest US lanes

## FAQ

### Is Bison Transport licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

Canadian parent Bison Transport Inc. (USDOT 245330, MC-156588) holds carrier authority. The US broker entity covering Bison's TT 2026 #54 brokerage is not yet cleanly mapped — verify at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov before tendering.

### What types of freight does Bison Transport move?

Per Transport Topics 2026, dry van TL is primary with active LTL, reefer, intermodal, flatbed, and air/expedited. Strongest lane positioning is cross-border Canada / US / Mexico via the Bison USA carrier portfolio.

### How do Bison Transport's rates compare to other freight brokers?

Strongest pricing is on Canadian cross-border and Upper Midwest / Northern Tier lanes where the Bison USA carrier portfolio provides asset-based capacity. Net revenue not disclosed in TT 2026. Benchmark via ShipperGuide.

## Best for

Mid-to-large shippers with significant Canadian or trans-border North American freight volume — particularly Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Maine corridors — who want a long-tenured carrier-backed brokerage with cross-border expertise.

## Compare alternatives

- [Loadsmart / ShipperGuide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/loadsmart-shipperguide/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Inte…
- [Scotlynn Group](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/scotlynn-group/) — Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · Canada (US-Ca…
- [FLS Transportation Services](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/fls-transportation/) — Dry Van, Reefer · US domestic · Canada domestic · US–Canad…
- [Magellan Transport Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/magellan-transport-logistics/) — 170,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · North America
- [Schneider National (brokerage)](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/schneider-brokerage/) — 10,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (dedic…

## Sources

- Revenue and ranking: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages (annual list)
- FMCSA licensing: li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov — broker authority status verified at publication where possible
- Reviews: G2, Trustpilot, Google Business — shipper reviews only
- Listing assembled from public records. Brokers can claim/update via directory@shipperguide.com