School Bus Fleet - All

REI debuts web-based fleet management software

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

A.R.M.O.R.-Insight provides three different tools to help manage information for an entire fleet or for a specific vehicle. It helps illustrate vital statistics that are difficult to manage, such as locating intermittent problems; evaluating fleet and driver performance; and monitoring speed, acceleration and idle time.

Senator to speak at NSTA meeting

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

U.S. Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma will provide a keynote address at the school bus contracting group's 49th Annual Meeting & Convention in Tulsa. Association officials say that Inhofe is a strong supporter of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program.

TRP offers new line of school bus seat covers

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The new seat covers give school districts a durable replacement option when maintaining their bus fleets, according to TRP. The line includes a hook-and-loop option for quick installation.

NAPT, Zonar offer equipment grants, conference scholarships

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The association and the company are making available $50,000 grants for equipment and hardware provided by Zonar, and applicants must be NAPT members in the U.S. and Canada that are not currently using such equipment. Zonar is also donating 10 scholarships for attendance to the 2013 NAPT Summit. Each scholarship will cover the cost of one conference registration.

Dubai conference draws global insights on school transport

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Speakers and delegates from around the world gathered at the emirate’s first school transportation conference, making recommendations in safety and security, driver training and other areas. NAPT President Alex Robinson says that being at the event had a feeling of “what it was probably like to be at an early Warrensburg conference.”

Rectangular LEDs

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The units are available as back-up, park/turn and stop/tail/turn lights. SoundOff officials said that the LEDs offer enhanced light output and off-angle visibility.

Spotline laser vehicle spotting guide

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The Spotline laser vehicle spotting guide projects a green laser line directly in the center of the bay. The technician centers the line on the vehicle hood and dash while pulling in for accurate positioning.

Carter Machinery Co. joins Blue Bird dealer network

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The company will serve the school bus manufacturer’s customers in the state of Virginia. Carter Machinery already supports more than 45 school districts, and Blue Bird officials say the company will provide a high level of support to its customers through its network of eight on-highway repair facilities.

Past national champs take top spots in California roadeo

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Antonio Perez of San Dieguito Union High School District, a winner at the national level last year, places first at this year's California state school bus driver competition. Brent Carman, who has won national championships multiple times, places third.

Starcraft Bus named a top account for Ford

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The school and shuttle bus manufacturer was the top volume pool account in the bus category for Ford in 2012, an accomplishment the company has held for seven consecutive years. Starcraft purchases and sells Ford E350/E450 and F550/F650 bus chassis, and it attributes its success to an increasing demand for shuttle buses during the economic recovery in the U.S. and having an excellent dealer network.

Iowa school bus inspection fee increases from $28 to $40

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The state’s Legislative Rules Committee narrowly approves the increase, which will enable the state Department of Education’s Office of School Transportation to hire a third inspector. State director of pupil transportation Max Christensen tells SBF that his office is immediately going into “hiring mode.”

School buses: slowly growing green

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

How much have these green buses penetrated the overall school bus market? We targeted that question in our latest school bus sales research.

Blue Bird’s 550,000th bus delivered to Washington district

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Mukilteo School District takes delivery of the manufacturer’s 2014 All American rear engine unit from dealer Bryson Sales and Service. Officials say the bus features a one-piece roof bow and a purpose-built chassis, along with an ergonomic driver’s cockpit and enhanced parts commonality with the Blue Bird Vision.

Portable child restraint system folds into carrying case

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

HSM’s system enables schools and transportation companies to provide a five-point restraint system that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requirements for children, according to the company. When not in use, the seat converts to a carrying case with an adjustable strap that creates a handle or shoulder strap for easy transport and storage.

Maine’s Kevin Mallory honored for ‘green’ bus efforts

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

The transportation director for Portland Public Schools has won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the EPA, which will be presented to him on June 26. The award is in recognition of his work to reduce pollution from the school system’s bus fleet and raise awareness about the benefits of “greener” transportation.

Transportation secretary nominee clears Senate committee

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx moves closer to becoming the new U.S. secretary of transportation as the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation unanimously approves him. The nomination next goes for a vote in the full Senate.

Colorado district wins 3 pupil transportation awards

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Shari Weber, Nanette Oswald and the late Lori Smock from Gunnison Watershed School District are honored by the Colorado State Pupil Transportation Association. Smock, the district’s transportation coordinator, passed away recently after a long fight with cancer.

NRS system designed to help brake pads last longer

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Nucap's NRS mechanical attachment system for brake pad backing plates has hundreds of hooks that create a permanent bond with the friction material. According to the company, this mechanical attachment technology holds the friction material better than any adhesive bond.

Lawrence training scholarships, Bluth field trip grant available

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Peter and Linda Lawrence have again endowed four scholarships that will help four bus driver trainers or front line supervisors attend the National Association for Pupil Transportation Summit this year in Grand Rapids, Mich., by covering the cost of registration fees. Dr. Linda Bluth and her partner, Betsy Eisman, endowed their annual $500 grant to help association members provide an enhanced learning experience for students.

Update: Body of missing Iowa teen found

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 0:00:00 PST

Authorities confirm that a body discovered in the Des Moines River on Friday is that of 15-year-old Kathlynn Shepard, who was abducted after she and another girl got in a stranger's vehicle at their school bus stop on May 20.