First Student names area general manager for Washington

Bill Noftz will be responsible for the overall performance of the school bus contractor’s Washington state locations, including financial results, operational performance, safety, fleet and maintenance. Noftz has more than 25 years of experience in the school transportation industry.

Emission-control technology offers low-maintenance solutions

Diesel particulate filters, mufflers and engine pre-heaters help school bus operators keep the air in and around their vehicles clean with minimal maintenance required. Technology upgrades now allow for optimal operation and pre-programmable engine pre-heating in even lower temperatures.

First Student earns ASE Blue Seal of Excellence

The contractor’s Marlboro, Mass., multi-maintenance shop, which employs five ASE-certified technicians, receives the certification. A company official says its success is attributed to its emphasis on “safety, training and keeping up with current technology trends.”

Espar engine pre-heater available in Trans Tech buses

The company’s E-Guardian 5 engine pre-heater is available on the Type A school bus manufacturer’s buses immediately. The E-Guardian 5 is EPA verified and California Air Resources Board approved, and officials say some of the benefits of the system include a warm engine start without plug-ins, reduced engine idling for fuel savings, less engine maintenance and use of the Multi-Max Digital Controller for ease of use.

IC Bus offers technician training program

Sessions will be held at the IC Bus plant in Tulsa, Okla., on June 23-26; July 7-10; July 21-24 and Aug. 4-7, and the registration fee is $425. The sessions focus on engines, diagnostics, and preventive maintenance and repair procedures.

Indiana district sees maintenance savings with propane buses

Tippecanoe School Corp. uses 32 quarts of oil per oil change with its diesel buses versus seven quarts for its propane buses. Tippecanoe's Alan Fidler, who has twice won the title of America's Best School Bus Technician, discusses savings and other maintenance-related advantages of the district's five propane buses.

Contractors see safety as an investment

Executives for some of North America's largest school bus companies discuss how allocating resources toward such efforts as driver training and preventive maintenance can benefit the operation by improving safety and employee morale, which, in turn, enhances profitability.

Florida district buys 98 propane buses

Broward County Public Schools’ move is being called the nation’s largest single order of propane autogas school buses by a school district. Broward officials say that they expect a six-month return on investment for the additional purchase price of the alternative-fuel buses due to fuel cost and maintenance savings.

Parkway launches CNG bus project with $1.5M grant

After securing federal highway funds, the Missouri school district buys 30 compressed natural gas buses and builds a fast-fill fueling station. Here's a look at how Parkway won the grant and what it expects with the new buses including savings in fuel and maintenance costs.

PHOTOS: Florida District's Vehicle Maintenance Parts Department