California Highway Patrol awarded for school bus safety efforts

The law enforcement agency, which annually inspects more than 23,000 school buses in the state and plays a key role in certifying school bus drivers, wins the 2014 California State Child Safety Award. The honor is presented by the Child Safety Network.

8.0L PIthon engine to power Thomas Built propane bus

Powertrain Integration (PI) names its 8.0L V8 propane autogas engine the PIthon. It has been selected as the engine platform for Thomas Built Buses' new propane-powered Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus.

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.

Transportation veteran made mark in training, new facility

Sharon Schalk was a driving force in training Washington's school bus driver instructors, and she pushed for funding for a much-needed new transportation facility at her district. She died on April 25 after being diagnosed with cancer a few months earlier.

Virtual Tour: Blue Bird’s Fort Valley Facilities

Thomas Built Buses honors top dealers

Virginia's Sonny Merryman Inc. is named Thomas Built's Dealer of the Year for the fifth time. The school bus OEM also presents its Dealer Trainer of the Year award to Dave Nelson of Nelson’s Bus Service in Wisconsin.

Missouri district builds its own bus video systems

At Carl Junction R-1 School District, shop technicians put together four-camera surveillance systems for the district's school buses. The team recently began testing two additional cameras: one on the back of the bus and one underneath.

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.

4 school districts named to '100 Best Fleets' list

District operations in Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida are among the fleets recognized for exemplary performance. One school bus fleet official says of the list, "Going through the application process helps us strive for perfection. I feel our operation is moving forward."

Companies partner to develop batteries for Lion all-electric bus

EnerDel Inc. will build the main battery components in Indiana, and B3CG Interconnect Inc. will complete the final battery and wiring harness assembly in Quebec.