WARRENVILLE, Ill. — IC Bus has introduced IC Air, a factory-installed air conditioning system that is engineered to a bus’ specifications.

“With many schools implementing a year-round or summer schedule, the need for quality air conditioning in a school bus is increasingly important,” said John McKinney, IC Bus vice president and general manager.

Customers can contact their local dealers about including IC Air on their bus purchases. IC will offer a 30-month standard warranty as well as multiple extended warranty options. Customers will be able to service their buses and air conditioning units at any certified IC Bus dealer or Trans/Air Manufacturing service location.

In other news, McKinney revealed that the rising prices of commodities such as steel, aluminum and copper is forcing IC to increase the cost of its new buses an estimated 2.5 to 3.5 percent, effective Nov. 1.

“Market conditions and global expansion continue to be the driving force behind these high prices,” McKinney said. “We have optimized our manufacturing efficiencies and absorbed as much of the increases as possible to keep costs in line for our customers. Unfortunately, an increase is unavoidable due to factors such as record-high commodity prices that are beyond our control.”

Steel and its derivatives account for over 50 percent of the material value of a bus. Steel prices have increased 150 percent since January 2008. Palladium and copper products, which make up almost 10 percent of a bus’ material value, have jumped 70 percent in price since 2005.

The price of platinum, which is used in 2007 emissions aftertreatment devices, has increased about 40 percent in recent months.