Total cost of ownership is one of the many key phrases in the industry as school districts seek to get the most bang for the buck when purchasing and maintaining school buses. Thomas Built Buses recently announced a Total Cost of Ownership calculator available through its dealers. The OEM, and others, also offer factory training to assist customers in getting the most out of their vehicles and operations.
FEATURES
An Opportunity to Get to Know Us
School bus manufactureres agree on value of meeting with manufactuerers up close and personal with factory tours, training
Tight Restraints
School bus seat manufacturers report heightened interest in lap-shoulder belts and integrated child seats as affordability improves
Domino Effect
Budgets have stabilized recently, but future funding concerns and less in-house resources prompt transportation directors to shop around for the best value for bus parts and other services
TOP STORY
Industry boosts support for standardizing school bus, equipment specs
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
Pilot model inspections for spec accuracy at Blue Bird
Tax-exempt leasing: Interest rates still low, but could climb later this year
How routing software helped a rural district locate missing students
News Briefs: Icon reitres, deadline extended for healthcare mandate, new Alabama bus-trespass law, heroic drivers
Q&A: New Collins Bus president on leveraging his past experience with fire vehicles for the Type A school bus segment
SPECIAL REPORT
ANALYSIS
By Robert T, Pudlewski
Key Performance Indicators as applied to a school-bus manintenance process
COLUMNS
First Take by Ryan Gray
Lessons in Supply and Demand
Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
The Social Network
DEPARTMENTS
Upcoming Events and People: Our monthly industry calender, and movers and shakers in the industry
MARKETPLACE
