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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 PlattJanuary 24, 2022

5 Questions: Liz Sanchez Takes the Lead in Zum's Operational Scaling

In December, she joined student transportation provider Zum as its first executive vice president of school transportation. Now, she looks toward expanding the company's reach across the United States.

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Newsby Wes PlattJanuary 21, 2022

Electric School Bus Orders May Take Eight Months to Fill

Bus manufacturer representatives in a panel discussion at the annual conference of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services blamed the supply chain crisis for production slowdowns.

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Videosby Wes PlattJanuary 19, 2022

More Like Spee-DL

Wes Platt discusses the latest in School Bus Fleet news, including GreenPower receiving a lease/purchase deal on a 80,000 square foot property, Lion Electric Company taking possession of a new factory outside Chicago, and much more!

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Newsby Wes PlattJanuary 18, 2022

Iowa Pupil Transportation Leader Awarded for Fight Against Human Trafficking

Max Christensen earned the Outstanding Anti-Trafficking Service Award for training efforts in Iowa.

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Newsby Wes PlattJanuary 18, 2022

Plans Move Forward for 2025 National Congress on School Transportation

The in-person event is expected to take place in Des Moines, Iowa, at the Holiday Inn Airport.

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School Bus Fleet Blogby Wes PlattJanuary 15, 2022

Keep Rolling with the Hits That Keep Coming

Component shortages and delivery challenges resulted in a bus manufacturing backlog for Blue Bird as the industry started its post-COVID shutdown rebound.

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Newsby Wes PlattJanuary 14, 2022

Federal Appeals Court Finds for Navistar, IC Bus in Texas Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a lower court's ruling that the bus manufacturer wasn't liable for the death of a 13-year-old student who fell from a school bus onto the highway during a field trip.

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Newsby Wes PlattJanuary 11, 2022

California Budget Proposal Could Fund 5,000 Electric School Buses

Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposal, which requires state legislature approval, includes $1.5 billion for electric school buses - especially in school districts with high concentrations of low-income students and youth in foster care.

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Videosby Wes PlattJanuary 10, 2022

Under the Hood, Off the Table

Wes Platt explains the Chicago bus funding quandary, the electrified empire state, and a temporary waiver for some CDL test elements in this episode of The Route.

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Newsby Wes PlattJanuary 5, 2022

Pupil Transportation Associations Welcome CDL Waiver

It comes as good news for industry leaders who have wanted a commercial driver's license that better reflects a school bus driver's responsibilities.

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