Allison’s FuelSense Basic offered on Blue Bird buses
The basic level of Allison Transmission’s fuel-savings technology is a standard offering on Blue Bird buses, company officials reaffirm. Also, Blue Bird announces that it will soon offer FuelSense Plus and Max as optional packages.
FORT VALLEY, Ga. — FuelSense Basic is a standard offering on Blue Bird buses, company officials reaffirmed this week.
FuelSense is the next generation in fuel-savings technology from Allison Transmission. It evolved from previously offered Allison technology.
Officials said most of the features that FuelSense comprises today have been offered by Blue Bird over the past several years in the economy-mode transmission programming on the Vision, FE and RE buses with the Cummins ISB6.7L engine and the Allison 2000 Series transmissions.
FuelSense Basic’s features include 5th Generation Controls, EcoCal and Dynamic Shift Sensing.
FuelSense features are incorporated in part or completely in three levels: FuelSense Basic, FuelSense Plus and FuelSense Max.
In addition to FuelSense Basic as a current standard offering, Blue Bird will soon offer FuelSense Plus and Max as optional packages. FuelSense Plus adds the Neutral at Stop feature to reduce non-productive fuel consumption when the bus is stopped.
FuelSense Max includes the features of FuelSense Plus and adds Acceleration Rate Management, which, based on vehicle weight and operating grade, automatically controls the engine torque to mitigate aggressive driving and further maximize fuel savings. Blue Bird currently offers Acceleration Rate Management as a standard Allison feature as well.
For more information, contact a local Blue Bird dealer or go to www.allisontransmission.com.
Other recent news on Blue Bird:
More Management

Switzer-CARTY Enters the U.S. with New Acquisition
The Canadian contractor’s acquisition of Minnesota-based Agnes Corporation marks its first cross-border expansion into the United States and adds 350 vehicles.
Read More →BusRight Adds New Rider Tracking Technology
Safety Pass is an NFC-based student ridership tracking solution that provides real-time boarding and drop-off data to improve school bus safety and family communication.
Read More →
EverDriven Launches RideAware App With Real-Time Student Ride Visibility
The updated platform’s new features improve communication among caregivers, districts, and drivers while streamlining trip updates.
Read More →
How School Transportation Departments Can Help Acclimate New Riders to the Bus
Here's how transportation departments can turn first-day jitters into confidence for students and parents alike.
Read More →
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Nearly 90 Years of Safely Transporting Wisconsin Students
From one farmer's act of service to a fourth-generation family business, Kobussen Buses reflects on nearly 90 years of earning the trust of Wisconsin families.
Read More →
Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.
Read More →
NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees
The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.
Read More →
Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City
From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support
The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners
See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.
Read More →

