WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new video was released to help school bus operators reduce idling time with their vehicles.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made the training program available free of charge to educate school bus drivers, fleet operators and school officials on the advantages of cutting back idling.

The video, dubbed “Reducing School Bus Idling: The Key to a Healthier Ride,” was designed to allow operations to easily integrate the topic into their driver training programs.

Among the benefits of reducing school bus idling, the EPA stressed the importance of minimizing children’s exposure to diesel exhaust. The video aims to “help your school district save money and protect the environment and health of both children and the drivers.”

The video, which was produced by the EPA’s Clean School Bus USA partnership, is available in VHS or computer compact disk format. To order, call Barb LaCentra at (734) 214-4278 and ask for document number EPA 420-V-04-01.

The EPA will also make the video available for free downloading to a CD at www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus. The website includes additional information on reduced-idling programs along with materials such as driver tip sheets, recognition certificates, poster examples and stickers.