MENU
SEARCHLehnert and his brother Ed launched the company in 1979 to supply bus air-conditioning systems to the transportation industry.
C. Richard “Dick” Lehnert Sr., co-founder of bus climate control company Trans/Air, died on Wednesday at age 87.
After serving in the Army for two years in the 1950s, Lehnert returned to his family’s business in Baltimore, E. Lehnert & Sons. That company, founded in 1850, assembled and sold vehicles adapted for plumbers, electricians, construction companies, landscapers, and government agencies.
According to Lehnert's obituary, while working for the family business, he discovered a passion for truck refrigeration and bus air conditioning. He took jobs in that field with Frigiking and Therm-Air before returning to E. Lehnert & Sons.
In 1979, Lehnert and his brother Ed launched Trans/Air Manufacturing Corp. They started supplying bus air-conditioning systems to the transportation industry, as well as truck refrigeration to the seafood delivery business.
Lehnert stayed active with Trans/Air until he retired in 2005. His son Rick Lehnert now serves as president and owner of the company.
Trans/Air, based in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, provides a variety of climate control systems for school buses and other vehicles.
It’s a celebration and a blast from the past in this special anniversary episode of The Route. Take a walk through major industry moments, milestones, and the people who shaped it with some faces you haven’t seen in a while! The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
From Maine bus safety upgrades to stop-arm camera bills, electric bus funding, and an Alabama workforce solution, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Missed any of last month’s industry news? We got you. Reporting from Minneapolis, here’s your quick recap of updates from Waymo's controversy, technology, and safety legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
In school bus tech and vendor updates, check in on news from EverDriven, Gatekeeper, Fleetio, Transfinder, RIDE, and new district partnerships.
Read More →
Check out some of the latest personnel moves from across the school bus industry, including new leadership appointments, various promotions, and major restructuring.
Read More →
School closures are inevitable, but transportation chaos doesn’t have to be. Learn how modern routing technology helps districts model closure scenarios before board votes turn into crises.
Read More →
A cleaner layout, improved organization, and a better reading experience are here. Explore what’s new on schoolbusfleet.com!
Read More →
A firsthand look at how diverse leadership in school transportation builds trust and drives stronger systems.
Read More →
We're looking for an amazing school bus contractor executive who embodies dedication, excellence, and innovation. Nominate the greats you know for SBF's 2026 award! Nominations close March 31.
Read More →
