LA JOLLA, Calif. — The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) presented its inaugural Green Fleet Certification awards here during the organization's Mid-Winter Meeting last week.

The program recognizes NSTA members for efforts in working toward a cleaner environment through the use of available EPA/California Air Resources Board (CARB)-verified technologies as well as new bus technology.

Open to all NSTA members in good standing, the Green Fleet Certification program has been endorsed by the EPA's Clean School Bus USA program and offers NSTA contractor members the opportunity to promote their efforts to provide environmentally friendly school bus transportation.  

Materials for the next round of certification awards are due June 11, with awards tentatively scheduled to be made July 27. For application materials, visit www.yellowbuses.org/members/gygg-certification.aspx?.

Bob Pudlewski, NSTA's technology consultant, NSTA President Donnie Fowler, and Jim Blubaugh, director of the EPA's Clean Diesel program, presented the inaugural awards to the following companies:

Boone Transportation, Bronze Level

• Fuel reduction training and programs are in place

• 30 percent of buses are 2007 compliant

• 50 percent of buses are 2004 or newer

Dean Transportation, Patrick Dean, Gold Level

• 20 percent of fleet is 2007 compliant

• 50 percent of fleet is 2004 or newer

Fowler Bus Company, Donnie Fowler, Gold Level

• Over 50 percent of fleet is 2007 compliant

• 50 percent of fleet is 2004 or newer

• 30 percent of fleet is retrofitted with EPA/CARB Level 3

• Uses biodiesel

Gershowitz Transportation, Phil Vallone, Bronze Level

• Idle and fuel reduction programs are in place

• 30 percent of fleet is 2007 compliant

• 45 percent of fleet is 2004 or newer

Girardat Transportation, Harold Girardat, Bronze Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs in place

• 20 percent of buses are 2007 compliant

• 30 percent of buses are 2004 or newer

George Krapf Jr. & Sons (3 Locations), Dale Krapf
Great Valley School District, Gold Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation are part of driver training

• 39 percent are 2007 compliant, 69 percent are 2004 or newer

• 42 percent are retrofitted with EPA/CARB Level 3

Tredyffrin-Easttown, Gold Level

• 67 percent are 2007 compliant, 90 percent newer than 2004

• Uses ULSD and biodiesel

West Chester, Silver Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation are part of training

• 23 percent 2007 compliant, 48 percent are 2004 or newer, 49 percent are retrofitted with EPA/CARB Level 3

Kobussen Buses Ltd., Dan Kobussen, Gold Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs are in place

• Over 50 percent of fleet is 2007 compliant

• Over 70 percent of fleet is 2004 or newer

Riteway Bus Service, Catherine Quabius, Gold Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs in place

• Uses diesel hybrid vehicles

• 50 percent of fleet is 2004 or newer

Rolling V Bus Corporation, Phil Vallone, Silver Level

• Idle reduction programs and technology are in place

• Fuel conservation programs are in place

• 54 percent of fleet is 2004 or newer

School Bus Inc., Steve Hey, Gold Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs in place

• 20 percent are 2007 compliant

• 50 percent are 2004 or newer

The Trans Group, John Corr, Silver Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs are in effect

• Over 30 percent are 2007 compliant

• Over 40 percent are 2004 or newer

• Has diesel hybrid vehicles in use