You'll be hearing a lot from me over the next several weeks, both literally and figuratively.

Literally, you'll hear from me during SCHOOL BUS FLEET's first Web seminar — a live, online presentation on hybrid school buses that I will be moderating.

The sponsor of this Web-based event is IC Corporation, which, as many of you know, has been delivering hybrid diesel-electric buses to school districts and contractors around the country. IC's plug-in hybrid school bus, manufactured in collaboration with Enova Systems, a leading provider of hybrid drive systems, is expected to attain a 70 to 100 percent increase in fuel efficiency and a 90 percent reduction in emissions.

Randy Ray, a marketing manager at IC Corporation, will be the featured speaker. During the course of this one-hour presentation, Randy will explain how hybrid buses work, the benefits of hybrid propulsion, maintenance and infrastructure requirements and potential sources of grants and other funding to cover the additional cost of hybrids.

Web seminar coming up!
The Web seminar, which will be free, is scheduled for Thursday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to noon (EDT).

To attend, all you'll need is a computer and Internet connection. For those of you with a computer that isn't enabled for sound, you can call a toll-free phone number to listen to the presentation. For those of you who like to ask tough questions, this session will be interactive, at least electronically. You'll be able to upload questions and comments at any time during the presentation.

I'd like to invite all of you to attend this seminar, and not just because I'm going to be moderating. Although new to the school bus industry, hybrid buses are making a strong impact on the public transit side, where the environmental benefits (reduced emissions) and cost savings (increased fuel economy) are being widely, and justifiably, celebrated. Sustainability and its implementation in all sectors of business and industry is becoming a critical issue. How hybrid school buses will fit into a sustainability scheme is a worthy discussion.

For more information about the July 12 seminar, visit www.schoolbusfleet.com/seminar.

My version of ‘The Blog’
Now, figuratively speaking, I'll be sounding off about school buses in my blog called "Along for the Ride" (http://blogs.schoolbusfleet.com/AlongForTheRide). You can link to the blog through the SBF Website at www.schoolbusfleet.com. It will also be linked to our weekly e-mail newsletter, called "SBF eWeekly." If you haven't signed up for the eWeekly, visit the SBF homepage and sign up today.

We established "Along for the Ride" to respond more quickly, and personally, to industry events and noteworthy news developments. I'll try to keep it lively, throwing in some photos when appropriate and occasionally providing you with behind-the-scenes glimpses of the goings-on at SCHOOL BUS FLEET.

But I've never blogged before, so you'll have to bear with me as I learn the craft. My experience with the Web 2.0 world is limited, but is being expanded daily.

I hope you'll take some time to visit "Along for the Ride" and provide me with feedback, even if you disagree with my opinions, which will probably be often.