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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 PlattOctober 7, 2021

5 Questions: Chris Dowdy on Life in a Smaller School District, From Behind the Desk to Behind the Wheel

Chris Dowdy, superintendent of the Valley Mills (Texas) Independent School District, ran bus routes himself when he was short-staffed due to ill drivers.

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Newsby Wes PlattOctober 6, 2021

Census Bureau Early Data Indicates Pupil Transportation Spending Fell in 2020

Despite growth in most other aspects of elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States, pupil transportation seems to take a spending hit during the COVID-19 pandemic year.

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Videosby Wes PlattOctober 4, 2021

The Route: Short-Staffed or Short-Changed?

Learn about the origins of the nationwide driver shortage, and how we should address it in this episode of The Route by School Bus Fleet.

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Newsby Wes PlattSeptember 30, 2021

Florida Legislators Propose Stop-Arm Camera Enforcement Bill

State representatives Thad Altman (R-Indian Harbour Beach) and Emily Slosberg (D-Boca Raton) put forward House Bill 179, which authorizes school districts to install cameras on school-bus stop arms to capture whether cars stop on approach.

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Articlesby Wes PlattSeptember 27, 2021

5 Questions: Vic Shao on Growing Demand, Challenges for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

AMPLY Power CEO Vic Shao shares his thoughts about the future of fleet-charging infrastructure and how he aims to help school districts work their way toward electrification.

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Newsby Wes PlattSeptember 27, 2021

Few School Bus Disruptions Reported in Connecticut

Despite a dire forecast last week from the state's student transportation association, Connecticut schools seemed largely unfazed Monday by worries about a bus driver walkout.

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Newsby Wes PlattSeptember 24, 2021

Vaccine Deadline Prompts Walkout Fears for Connecticut School Bus Companies

Jean Cronin, vice president of the Connecticut School Transportation Association, wrote a letter warning of "a major catastrophe looming" as school bus drivers face a Sept. 27 vaccination compliance deadline.

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Videosby Wes PlattSeptember 21, 2021

The Route: Driver Shortages and Young Heroes

Listen to SBF Executive Editor, Wes Platt, discuss the potential of waiving CDL requirements for drivers, NASDPTS cancelling their in-person event, as well as a group of MO students who saved their driver in this episode of The Route.

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Newsby Wes PlattSeptember 10, 2021

New York's Morelle Seeks CDL Waiver for School Bus Drivers

U.S. Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) makes the request in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

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School Bus Fleet Blogby Wes PlattSeptember 8, 2021

All Aboard for a New Adventure in Pupil Transportation

A fresh start commences for SBF's new executive editor in a rather challenging time.

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