Thomas Built Buses receives clean-air award
The school bus manufacturer is awarded a 2011 North Carolina Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy award in the category of Technology/Fuel Provider. The company operates the nation's first zero-waste-to-landfill school bus manufacturing facility and produces both compressed natural gas and hybrid-electric school buses.
[IMAGE]395[/IMAGE]
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses was recently awarded a 2011 North Carolina Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) award in the category of Technology/Fuel Provider.
The company was lauded for operating the nation's first zero-waste-to-landfill school bus manufacturing facility and for producing both compressed natural gas and hybrid-electric school buses.
The North Carolina Mobile CARE awards were created in 2006 to recognize outstanding individuals and organizational efforts at reducing transportation-related emissions.
The North Carolina Solar Center/North Carolina State University, with support from the state Department of Transportation, organized the fifth annual North Carolina Mobile CARE awards as part of the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project.
Candidates in four categories — Individual, Fleet, Technology/Fuel Provider and Policy/Organization — were sought and after evaluating more than two dozen nominations, the judges narrowed the winners to six. Some of the criteria the judges used to make their decision included:
• Expanding educational opportunities
• Conducting outreach
• Changing policies
• Length of involvement in alternative fuel/vehicle activities
• Perceived risk related to involvement
• Diversity of strategies/technologies employed
More Management
6 School Districts Named Transfinder's 2026 Top Transportation Teams
The software company has named six school districts across four states to its list for the fourth year, with one 'three-peat' winner. Find out which teams took home top honors!
Read More →
Innovation Was the Answer: Five Lessons Learned in School Transportation from 2025–26
Transportation leaders are embracing technology, transparency, and operational flexibility to meet growing demands with limited resources.
Read More →
AI Tools Roundup: New Fleet Tools Aim to Turn Data Into Faster Decisions
The latest AI-powered platforms could help student transportation teams analyze fleet performance, manage maintenance, and uncover operational insights using natural-language queries.
Read More →
EverDriven Integrates Pathwise's EZRouting into Routing Services
The new partnership combines trusted software with industry expertise to help district transportation teams streamline general education routing, improve efficiency, and lower operating costs.
Read More →
First Student Safety Executive Named Samsara Technology Leader of the Year
David Perez earned the honor for deploying AI-powered safety and fleet technologies that improved driver behavior and family communication.
Read More →
Zum Expands to Rhode Island with 2 New District Partnerships
The Ocean State becomes Zum’s 18th state served as the company expands its presence in the Northeast U.S., while launching operations in Philadelphia, and supporting FIFA World Cup 2026.
Read More →
The Driver Shortage Playbook
Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.
Read More →
Stertil-Koni Announces New Company President
Lewis Nelson joins the heavy-duty vehicle lift provider, succeeding Scott Steinhardt in the lead role.
Read More →
Tennessee Hall of Fame Honors Drivers for Decades of Service
Frances Theiring, a school bus driver for Wilson County Schools, retires this year after almost 50 years on the road. She is one of two long-time drivers honored for their service in the state.
Read More →
What Happens to a School Bus After Retirement? First Student Has a New Answer
Through a new partnership with Advanced Remarketing Services, proceeds from retired vehicle sales will support Special Olympics and other community-focused organizations while advancing sustainability goals.
Read More →