TV show features Mich. contractor’s hybrid buses
The Clean Cities Success series of the public television program MotorWeek covers Dean Transportation’s four Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2e units. Director of Development Patrick Dean discusses the benefits the company has seen as a result of running the buses.

LANSING, Mich. — The public television program MotorWeek recently featured a segment on school bus company Dean Transportation’s hybrid buses.
The show’s Clean Cities Success series covered Dean’s four Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2e hybrid school buses, which the company reportedly acquired in 2010 to help reduce student exposure to exhaust emissions.
Host John Davis said the buses are the first of their kind in the state of Michigan, and that the project was made possible by a grant through the Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities Coalition, which also funded improvements to the school bus fleet at Grand Ledge Public Schools.
Moreover, Patrick Dean, director of development at Dean Transportation, said in the segment that the company has seen a “huge” reduction in the amount of fuel it is using, a 20-percent increase in fuel economy and a reduction in maintenance expenses for the hybrid systems.
To watch the MotorWeek segment on Dean Transportation, click here.
More Management

Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.
Read More →
NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees
The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.
Read More →
Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City
From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support
The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners
See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.
Read More →
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation
Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.
Read More →
2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report
Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners
Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.
Read More →
School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells
Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.
Read More →
Photos: NYAPT Celebrates 50 Years at 2026 Conference & Trade Show
See highlights from NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference in Saratoga Springs, featuring educational sessions, awards, a trade show, networking, and more.
Read More →

