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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).

Newsby Wes PlattNovember 17, 2021

Investigation Prompts Leave for Two Maryland Transportation Directors

Todd Watkins and Charles Ewald of Montgomery County Public Schools await the outcome of a local police investigation into "possible financial improprieties."

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Videosby Wes PlattNovember 17, 2021

Adventures in Pupil Transportation

School Bus Fleet’s Executive Editor Wes Platt interviews the 2021 School Bus Fleet Administrator of the Year, Wayne Reese about prepping for winter months, advice for starting in transportation, and more in this episode of The Route.

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Newsby Wes PlattNovember 15, 2021

President Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill into Law

School transportation advocates praised the bipartisan legislation, which includes efforts against illegal bus passing, and provides $5 billion for electric and low-emission school buses.

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Newsby Wes PlattNovember 11, 2021

Colorado Budget Proposal Includes $150M for Electric Buses

The proposed funding would transition about half the state's fleet from diesel to electric within six years.

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Articlesby Wes PlattNovember 10, 2021

Higher Pay No Guarantee Against Driver Shortage

Although pay and other benefits help mitigate the shortage in some districts, others see jobs unfilled elsewhere in the education ecosystem.

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Newsby Wes PlattNovember 9, 2021

Expansions Announced for Alternative Student Transport Providers

HopSkipDrive and Kid Car, like RideAlong, find themselves answering increased demand for pupil transportation options.

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Videosby Wes PlattNovember 8, 2021

CERTain Concerns, Fines for Training, and a Virtual Hooray

This episode of The Route discusses tax exemption for CERTS grants, how illegally passing buses will result paying for bus safety, and the now virtual NASDPTS.

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Newsby Wes PlattNovember 4, 2021

U.S. Reps Seek Tax-Exemption for CERTS Grants

A bipartisan effort by Jim Panetta (D-Calif.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) would make COVID relief grants for private student transportation companies exempt from taxes.

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Articlesby Wes PlattNovember 3, 2021

A Farmer Puts His Faith in Pupil Transportation

In a mountain-fringed Utah valley, Wayne Reese has used his administrative skills to guide pupil transportation for two local school districts – and managed to avoid staff layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. His accomplishments make him School Bus Fleet's Administrator of the Year.

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Articlesby Wes PlattNovember 2, 2021

Electric School Bus Roundtable: Normand Paquet (Micro Bird)

The chief commercial officer thinks demand for small buses should increase because they don't always necessarily require that drivers have a CDL.

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