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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).

ArticlesCover Storyby Wes PlattOctober 15, 2021

Electric School Bus Roundtable: Ryne Shetterly (GreenPower Motor Co.)

The vice president of sales and marketing expects electric vehicle transitions to accelerate in response to concerns about climate change.

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ArticlesCover Storyby Wes PlattOctober 15, 2021

Electric School Bus Roundtable: Jed Routh (Thomas Built Buses)

The vice president of sales, service, and marketing looks forward to more safety features in school bus software, not just in the mechanical components.

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ArticlesCover Storyby Wes PlattOctober 15, 2021

Electric School Bus Roundtable: Trish Reed (IC Bus)

The vice president and general manager thinks federal funding will put electric school buses in easier reach of school districts.

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ArticlesCover Storyby Wes PlattOctober 15, 2021

Electric School Bus Roundtable: Chris Hiebert (Collins Bus)

The vice president and general manager expects his company to balance increased demand against supply chain disruptions.

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ArticlesCover Storyby Wes PlattOctober 15, 2021

Electric School Bus Roundtable: Patrick Gervais (The Lion Electric Co.)

The vice president of marketing and communications wants to ensure that school districts consider the entire EV ecosystem, from buses to charging stations.

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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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