Renowned school bus tech retires
Brad Barker, a maintenance expert and past winner of the America’s Best school bus technician title, steps down from his district position but will work for a dealership. “I will still be involved heavily in the school bus industry,” he says.

Brad Barker, a maintenance expert and past winner of the America’s Best school bus technician title, has stepped down from his district position but will work for a dealership.
PARK CITY, Utah — Brad Barker, a school bus maintenance expert who has won a national title and shared his knowledge with many in the industry, has retired from his school district position.
The longtime shop manager for Park City School District will begin working for Lewis Bus Group, a Thomas Built Buses dealership in Salt Lake City, as service manager/technical trainer in early August.
“I will still be involved heavily in the school bus industry,” Barker said.
Barker has written many maintenance-related articles for SCHOOL BUS FLEET and served on the magazine’s editorial advisory board.
Barker has accrued more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He started working on school buses in high school during work release from auto shop class.
In 2006, Barker earned the top technician title in the National Association for Pupil Transportation’s annual America’s Best competition. He has also been involved with state training and standards committees, and he represented technicians on the National Congress on School Transportation subcommittee for school bus specifications.
As he shared the news of his retirement from Park City School District, Barker expressed his admiration for the pupil transportation industry.
“The experience gained through the years and people involved in school transportation everywhere that I have come to know have been very rewarding to me,” Barker said. “I firmly believe there is not a better group of individuals anywhere, in any business, public or private.”
More Maintenance

Noregon Introduces CAN Bus Diagnostic Tool, Expands JPRO Features
CAN Mentor and the latest JPRO update aim to simplify vehicle network diagnostics and improve repair efficiency for technicians of all experience levels.
Read More →Cummins on Smarter, Simpler Engine Innovation
Cummins discusses its first-ever gasoline engine for school buses, EPA 2027, and why bus fleets still want durable, simpler internal combustion options.
Read More →
Report: 72% of Diesel School Buses Now Use Advanced Low-Emission Engines
New data shows advanced low-emission diesel technology continues expanding across school bus fleets, even as electric bus adoption gains momentum.
Read More →
Vampire Tools' CAIMAN 7.5-Inch Multi-Purpose Screw Extractor Long-Nose Pliers with Crimper
Vampire Tools introduced the VAMPLIERS Caiman 7.5-inch multi-purpose pliers, combining screw extraction, cutting, crimping, and gripping functions into a single tool designed for fleet maintenance professionals.
Read More →How Advanced Diagnostics Helps Bus Fleets Stay Ahead of Repairs
Chat with Noregon’s Kevin Smallhorn at ACT Expo about bus diagnostic tools, telematics integration, CNG maintenance support, and strategies to help reduce downtime and improve uptime.
Read More →
How School Bus Fleets are Getting Ahead of Breakdowns
Don’t let bus downtime wear you down. Here’s how bus operators are shifting from manual processes to AI-powered, data-driven maintenance systems for improved reliability and safety.
Read More →
Pennsylvania School Bus Maintenance Team Praised for Dedication to Safety
Matthews Bus Company’s West Jefferson received a letter of commendation from the Pennsylvania State Police for their fleet inspections.
Read More →
From Chaos to Clarity: How School Districts Are Running Leaner Transportation Operations
Covering 38 routes on a Friday afternoon. Buses idling while routes overlap. Parents calling nonstop about late arrivals. Sound familiar? This whitepaper explores how district transportation leaders solved these exact problems — and what measurable results followed.
Read More →2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →2026 School Bus Maintenance Survey
What top challenges are school bus maintenance teams facing in 2026? Explore new trends from School Bus Fleet’s annual maintenance survey covering fleet composition and age, fuel types, used vs. new purchasing patterns, technician pay and certifications, and the impact of the driver shortage. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →
