Blue Bird honors top dealers

The school bus manufacturer presents its 2011 Dealer of the Year Award to Ross Bus and Equipment Sales of Louisiana. The company also recognizes dealerships with regional, “Best in Bus” and service awards.

Ariz. district expects big savings in jump to propane

Mesa Public Schools, which has the largest school bus fleet in the state, purchases 27 propane-powered Blue Bird and Micro Bird models. Transportation chief Ron Latko tells SBF that he estimates the district will save more than $105,000 in fuel costs this year with the propane buses.

NAPT Summit 2011

NAPT trade show features many new products

Among the new products from the nearly 130 exhibitors is a quasi-static three-point activity seat from Freedman Seating Co., a camera system from Fortress Mobile that captures stop-arm violators and a condenser from American Cooling Technology. Thomas Built Buses displays its redesigned Type D unit, the Saf-T-Liner EFX, while Blue Bird displays its Next Generation Propane-Powered Vision school bus.

Pupil transporters honored for service, safety excellence

School bus driver John Fothergill and Peter Lawrence of Fairport (N.Y.) Central School District were among the honorees at Sunday's NAPT awards banquet. During Monday's celebratory breakfast, this year's "America's Best" school bus technician and inspector were among the individuals recognized for their achievements.

Blue Bird names new sales and marketing exec

Dale Wendell will serve the company as vice president of global sales and marketing. He had been working with the school bus manufacturer in a sales and consulting capacity since April.

District cuts costs by running propane-powered buses

Zeeland (Mich.) Public Schools purchased nine new Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision school buses in August 2010. Transportation Director David Meeuwsen says the district averages a savings of 80 cents per gallon with propane versus biodiesel fuel, and that once the district applies for the 50-cent-per-gallon government tax credit, he approximates fuel savings of 30 percent.

A-Z Bus Sales promotes top exec

Jim Reynolds, who has served as president since 2006, is now president and CEO. In his new role, Reynolds will continue to direct the business activities of A-Z Bus Sales, and he will add the responsibilities of strategic planning, corporate succession planning, and mergers and acquisitions.

Blue Bird donates $7K to education center

The school bus manufacturer presents a $7,396 check to be used for Kay Center athletes’ travel expenses as they compete in the Special Olympics. The Kay Center provides work programs for adults with developmental disabilities, and about 60 percent of the center’s programs revolve around Blue Bird outsourced job functions.

Blue Bird honors suppliers during conference

The school bus manufacturer recognizes Amtech LLC, The C.E. White Co., Cummins Inc., Dekalb Tool and Die, Five Points Services Inc. and Quality Drive Away Inc. with its 2011 Global Supplier of the Year Award at its annual Supplier Conference.