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Wes Platt

Former Executive Editor

Wes Platt joined Bobit in 2021 as executive editor of School Bus Fleet Magazine and maintained the helm through 2024.

He writes and edits content about student transportation, school bus manufacturers and equipment, legislative issues, maintenance, fleet contracting, and school transportation technology - from classic yellow diesel buses to the latest EPA-funded electric, propane, and CNG vehicles.

Wes has moderated online webinars related to student transportation, hosts a video podcast called The Route on the SBF YouTube channel that covers bus-related news and issues, and enjoys attending events with the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), National School Transportation Association (NSTA), and National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS).

Previously, Wes worked as a journalist for The St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) - he has no shortage of "Florida Man" stories. Be sure to ask about the armadillo hit man sometime. He also worked for North Carolina's Durham Herald-Sun, covering diverse beats ranging from crime and courts to K-12 education, including school transportation issues. He’s a Florida native transplanted to North Carolina, and a graduate of the University of South Florida (B.A. mass communications).

Articlesby Wes PlattNovember 4, 2022

Closer Look: Southern States Among Largest Round 1 Clean School Bus Beneficiaries

New York and California topped the list of recipients for total funding, but a significant number of states in the southeastern U.S. - some that never had an electric school bus before - made it into the top 10.

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Newsby Wes PlattOctober 27, 2022

FMCSA Extends School Bus "Under-the-Hood" Waiver Until 2024

The NSTA sought five years but got two. NASDPTS and the NAPT were among organizations that reached out to the FMCSA to oppose the proposal for extending the waiver five years.

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School Bus Fleet Blogby Wes PlattOctober 27, 2022

Celebrating 100 Subscribers of The Route, School Bus Fleet's Podcast

One year later, we’ve pushed past our first goal of 100 subscribers on our School Bus Fleet YouTube channel. Thanks to everyone who subscribed so far, and to those who’ve helped spread the word about The Route.

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Newsby Wes PlattOctober 26, 2022

First Clean School Bus Recipients Announced

The 2022 rebate awards are expected to fund the purchase of about 2,500 low- or zero-emission buses in 389 school districts.

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Newsby Wes PlattOctober 19, 2022

Defending School Bus Fleets Against Catalytic Converter Theft

The National School Transportation Association flash webinar explored what makes the anti-pollution devices attractive to thieves and what bus yard operators can do to protect against - or at least slow down - the criminals.

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Articlesby Wes PlattOctober 12, 2022

5 Ways Things Change When Your School District Adds Electric Buses

Three industry experts offered insights about putting electric school buses in your fleet's mix during a School Bus Fleet webinar.

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Newsby Wes PlattOctober 12, 2022

Georgia District Claims Connected School Bus First

The pilot program in the Fulton County Schools equipped two school buses with connected technology that prioritized the vehicles for green lights at intersections along routes in Alpharetta.

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Newsby Wes PlattOctober 7, 2022

Maryland Audit: Transportation Employees Used 'Off the Books' Account

The state audit report indicates that the account, maintained by a transportation vendor and funded with about $1.2 million that had been due to Montgomery County Public Schools, was "outside the control of MCPS' Office of Finance." Two management employees have left MCPS since the investigation started.

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Articlesby Wes PlattOctober 4, 2022

Illegal School Bus Passing: More Communication Key to Stemming Crisis

Members of the School Bus Fleet editorial advisory board offer their thoughts on the chronic problem of stop-arm running and illegal passing.

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Articlesby Wes PlattOctober 3, 2022

5 Questions: HopSkipDrive's Joanna McFarland on Modernizing Student Transportation

HopSkipDrive now provides alternative student transportation in 21 markets in 12 states, and continues to grow.

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