SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Stock Transportation in North Bay Achieves a First in Canada

The Stock Transportation Customer Service Centre in North Bay, Ontario, became the company's first ASE Blue Seal of Excellence location in Canada.

Stock Transportation in North Bay Achieves a First in Canada

From left to right: Eaton, J. (technician), Ricker, N. (technician), Magny, R. (shop manager), Jenking, T. (technician), and Heikoop, W. (technician).

Photo: Stock Transportation

2 min to read


Student transportation company Stock Transportation announced its first Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal of Excellence location – North Bay, Ontario. The Blue Seal of Excellence is awarded to businesses that are comprised of the highest trained technicians who work continuously to improve their knowledge and skills while being at the forefront of industry standards.

ASE’s Blue Seal of Excellence is one of the highest accolades within the automotive service industry. To achieve Blue Seal recognition, a minimum of 75% of technicians must be ASE certified at the location and must have ASE-certified technicians in place and working for each area of services performed.  

Ad Loading...

Three of the four technicians on the North Bay team have earned ASE Master Technician status, with the fourth technician currently working to earn his Master Technician status. Achieving Master Technician status means the technician has achieved certification in all testing areas for a sub-specialty (e.g. school bus, automobiles, medium/heavy truck, etc.) and is now an expert in that sub-specialty.

“This accreditation is a significant achievement because it is the first Stock Transportation Blue Seal location. More importantly, it aligns our shop perfectly with our company values of excellence and safety and is yet another way that demonstrates we are the best in class in our industry,” said Sheldon Goers, area maintenance director. “The shop manager motivated and guided the team through the process. They loved the challenge and rewarding feeling of being an expert in their field and contributing firsthand to getting students to school safely, on time and ready to learn.”

National Express LLC, Stock Transportation’s parent company, supports the ASE certification of its technicians through an internal ASE Advantage Program. This program provides training and incentives for technicians who seek to be certified in all maintenance aspects of the transportation industry, including transit, student transportation, automotive, and inventory management.

More Maintenance

Buyers Guide and Directory thumbnail
SponsoredMarch 13, 2026

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 thumbnail
SponsoredMarch 13, 2026

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 →
A purple and white Fleetio graphic with text reading "Fleetio Introduces AI Service Advisor."
Maintenanceby Staff and News ReportsMarch 13, 2026

Fleetio Launches AI-Powered Maintenance Service Advisor

The company’s new AI tool helps fleet managers approve repairs faster, prioritize maintenance, and reduce shop time across high-volume fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
photo of a large school bus maintenance shop faded in the background with a red ribbon on top that reads "garage products to watch" and the SBF logo
Maintenanceby Amanda HuggettMarch 12, 2026

Maintenance Must-Haves: Shop Products We Love

From tire changers and diagnostics to wash systems and brake tech, these maintenance must-haves save time, reduce strain, and keep school bus shops running efficiently.

Read More →
school bus driver
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner

Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.

Read More →
Graphic of a yellow school bus above the headline “The Real Cost of Downtime,” with icons illustrating overtime costs, frustrated parents and administrators, repair expenses, and route delays, emphasizing the operational and financial impact of communication failures in school transportation fleets.
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime

When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
school bus fleet graphic picturing two school bus technicians performing maintenance on bus brakes with text the reads "all about school bus brakes"
Maintenanceby Amanda HuggettFebruary 26, 2026

Take a Brake: How School Bus Air Disc, Drum & Hydraulic Systems Compare

Is it time to rethink your school bus brake system? Let’s break down cost, performance, maintenance, and real-world fleet experiences.

Read More →
Instructor leads a brake system training class with technicians seated at tables, using a large demonstration board with air brake components and wiring.
Maintenanceby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 25, 2026

Bendix Announces 2026 Brake Training Sessions

Bendix’s 2026 training program will bring in-person and virtual brake system courses to technicians across the country, focusing on air brake fundamentals and advanced safety technologies.

Read More →
three school bus maintenance staff stands in front of a school bus next to text that reads "school bus maintenance in 2026 survey results" with the SBF logo
Maintenanceby Amanda HuggettFebruary 23, 2026

School Bus Maintenance in 2026: Costs, Tech & Workforce Gaps

As gasoline use rises, maintenance teams face tighter budgets, limited training, and slow wage growth. This and more trends and analysis in our annual survey report. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Technician operating a red APEX tire changer next to an APEX wheel balancer with mounted tire, displayed against an orange background with BendPak branding.
MaintenanceFebruary 12, 2026

BendPak Launches New Tire Changers and Wheel Balancers

APEX by BendPak expands its tire service lineup with new swing-arm tire changers and wheel balancers designed for school bus and light-duty fleet maintenance operations.

Read More →