Industry veteran Steve Kalmes to retire

The Anchorage, Alaska, director of transportation has not only served as president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation, he has attended the annual conference for more than 30 years in a row. He tells SBF that after retiring in July, he will remain active in the industry — and will attend the next NAPT conference.

IC Bus boosts efficiency at Tulsa plant

The manufacturer has been building school buses in the former B-24 bomber plant for 10 years now. Plant Manager Greg Hutchison, an auto industry veteran who came to the facility in September, tells SBF about changes that have increased quality and volume while keeping staffing levels consistent.

Transportation leader pushed for efficiency, bus ads

Joe Mirabella, who died Sunday at 68, co-founded an innovative program to help Colorado's school districts boost transportation efficiency, and he promoted advertising on school buses — a controversial stance. Colleagues remember him as "a mentor to me and many others" and "a giant here in Colorado."

Donald Tudor retires after 20 years as state director

The industry stalwart from South Carolina plans to remain active in pupil transportation, offering consulting services to school districts. Tim Camp, who has been working for Tudor for the past seven years, is named the new state director.

Honoring our history

Ed Bobit felt so strongly about his idea that he went back to the bosses with his resignation letter and decided to give it a go alone. And with that, he launched Bobit Publishing and its flagship publication, Automotive Fleet. After Bobit acquired School Bus Transportation, it relaunched in 1965 as SCHOOL BUS FLEET with a new look and vision.

From Buggies to Buses: 135 Years in Transportation

Wolfington Body Co. began as a builder of horse-drawn carriages in the 19th century. The company adapted with the times and went on to thrive as a school bus distributor.

Industry veteran retires after nearly 50 years

Richard "Zack" Zackula started as a "go-fer" at Kansas Truck Equipment Co. 48 years ago, when it had just become a Blue Bird school bus distributor. Now, as he retires as general manager, he recounts his storied career.

Snapshots — Winter 2011

Transportation manager pens book about Crown vehicles

Louk Markham of Portage (Mich.) Public Schools spent the last 15 to 20 years researching and writing Crown Coach Corp.: School Buses, Fire Trucks and Custom Coaches, which chronicles the history of the company through text, and vintage photographs and memorabilia.

Towns observe anniversaries of school bus tragedies

In Washington state in 1945, 15 children and their driver died when their bus plunged into a frigid lake. In British Columbia in 1960, a bus was struck by a freight train, killing 17 people on board.