TORRANCE, Calif. — For more than eight years, SCHOOL BUS FLEET has put the spotlight on outstanding pupil transportation operations with the “Great Fleets Across America” series.

The series will return in our upcoming January issue, but with a twist: This time around, we’ll give added focus to school districts’ and contractors’ green efforts. We’re calling it, appropriately enough, “Green Fleets Across America.”

The criteria that have applied to Great Fleets in the past still apply — excellence in such areas as safety, training, innovation, cost cutting, maintenance and morale. But for this year's edition, we’ll also be looking for environmental efforts. These may include:

• use of emissions-reducing equipment (diesel particulate filters, etc.)

• use of alternative fuels

• anti-idling policies

• increasing route efficiency

• recycling and waste reduction

• environmental community service (tree planting, trash collecting, etc.)

• use of energy-saving devices and sustainable materials in facilities

  We’ll accept nominations through Wednesday, Nov. 26. Just send an e-mail to sbf@bobit.com telling us a bit about your operation and what makes it great — and green.