 |
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Among the powerful effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Northeast last fall was extensive damage to school bus fleets and facilities.
For Atlantic Express Transportation Corp., hundreds of yellow school buses from its New York City fleet were severely damaged or completely destroyed. The national contractor needed immediate help to replace the fleet.
The team at Blue Bird worked relentlessly to fill an initial order of 100 Blue Bird Visions within record time for delivery this past December, company officials said.
Blue Bird dealers and customers across North America agreed to defer buses that were scheduled for immediate build to ensure that buses for Atlantic Express were instead placed into their production slots to aid hurricane relief efforts. Additionally, official said that Blue Bird employees, along with a committed supply base, worked vigorously to ensure that all 100 buses were built for expedited delivery.
“Hundreds of employees throughout Blue Bird worked closely with the production team and our suppliers to reduce lead time by 60% and ensure that each bus was able to travel down the production line on an accelerated schedule that ensured December delivery," said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. "The ability to deliver these 100 buses in record time is a testament to the commitment and perseverance of Blue Bird employees, Blue Bird dealers and our outstanding suppliers coming together with a common mission to help the people of New York City.”
 |
Rick Reichenbach, president of Bird Bus Sales in New York, added that "as a member of Blue Bird’s valuable dealer network, Bird Bus Sales can appreciate the generosity extended by Blue Bird’s dealers and employees working to ensure that Atlantic Express’ buses were able to be placed into immediate production and be delivered in record time.”
Blue Bird's supplier network also rose to the challenge to quickly replace the storm-damaged school buses, adding extra hours to production schedules and working overtime to provide expedited parts.
Blue Bird officials commended the following suppliers for going "the extra mile": Aloma Shim, American Fabricators, Amsafe, Apogee, Bendix, Bergstrom, Blue Linx, Bode, Bostrum Seating, C.E. White Co., Cummins Emissions, Cummins Inc., Delphi, Global Harnesses, Haralson Metal, Hendrickson Axles, Hendrickson Springs, Hotstart Mfg., I.O. Controls, Machine Tech, Meritor Axles, National Seating, Paramont, RCA Rubber, Rosco Mirrors, Schwartz Precision, Specialty Manufacturing, Spectal, St. Clair, Tankcraft, TitanX and Turning Inc.
More on Hurricane Sandy:
Related Topics: Atlantic Express Transportation Corp., Blue Bird Corp., New York, weather
To receive ASE's Blue Seal of Excellence, 75% of the service technicians at a location must be certified by ASE. In addition, there must be a certified technician in each area of service offered.
The CEO of Student Transportation Inc. says that many school bus operations need to replace their aging vehicles, embrace new technologies, and “totally rethink routing” to become more efficient.
Weber’s executive director and regulatory relations duties will be transitioned to others, the school bus contractor association announces.
Tashitaa Tufaa discovered a passion for driving and a need in Minneapolis for a dedicated school bus contractor. He now employs over 400 people as the CEO of student transportation company Metropolitan Transportation Network.
Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart says that the visit “enlightened me about all the work that goes into getting our students to school safely.”
The state’s governor approves a measure that requires lap-shoulder belts on new school buses, but districts can opt out due to financial constraints.
Gregg Peterson retires after 49 years in the school bus industry. He started working for his uncle’s company, Russell Transportation, at 17 years old.
Know a contractor who deserves recognition for his or her efforts? We’re accepting nominations for SBF’s 2017 Contractor of the Year award — but only for a few more days.
The Pennsylvania bus company acquires school bus and transportation provider Birnie Bus Service Inc. Combined, the enterprise will operate 2,500 school buses across four states.
Kari Hoglund Kounkel shares the details and lessons learned from an accident in Minnesota in 1997 that killed three students and a truck driver.
Dean Transportation has begun using virtual reality technology to supplement training and provide more of a "real-world" experience to drivers and attendants.
The Alberta driver faces multiple charges after her bus struck a tree while students were on board. Police say she was over the legal limit of alcohol.
The $110 million contract will see Bridgestone supplying tires to more than 60,000 of FirstGroup’s buses and coaches in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
The contractor will begin serving Keystone Oaks School District in August. The agreement calls for 21 buses transporting approximately 750 students.
FMCSA had requested comment about raising minimum insurance requirements for commercial operators. The National School Transportation Association praises the withdrawal of the proposal.
School Bus Passing Penalties Increased in Florida
