EAST LIBERTY, Ohio — Last week, Blue Bird school buses rolled out for the 2018 Blue Bird Experience tour at James A. Rhodes Conference Center at the Transportation Research Center (TRC), where school districts participated in educational sessions, ride-and-drives and more.
“Just as the TRC has been pushing the limits of vehicles on its proving grounds, Blue Bird has been pushing the limits of school bus innovation with its alternatively fueled buses, like electric, propane and compressed natural gas, and with its cleaner-operating diesel and gasoline buses,” said Tim Gordon, director of North America sales for Blue Bird Corp.
Hosted by local Blue Bird dealer Cardinal Bus Sales, the event included a full line-up of Blue Bird’s services and products, including Micro Bird Type A school buses and Blue Bird Vision Type C buses that are fueled by propane, gasoline and diesel.
“This event allowed school district decision-makers to learn about the safety, economic and environmental benefits of a host of Blue Bird’s buses,” said Tony Rumer with Cardinal Bus Sales. “In particular, they appreciated the low emissions, quiet ride and fuel savings of the alternative-fueled models.” Blue Bird’s alternative fuel bus models feature quiet operation that lowers driver distraction and increases driver ability to hear passengers and ambient noise, he noted.
More than 110 school transportation directors, technicians, bus drivers and school officials from multiple school districts across the state attended.
“This event gave me a lot of confidence in continuing to purchase Blue Bird Vision Propane school buses. The partnership between Ford, Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech is so strong,” said Shawn Dawson, fleet manager of Westerville City Schools, which operates 35 propane buses. According to Dawson, the school district is saving 50 percent in operating costs with propane buses.
Since January, the school bus manufacturer has taken its Blue Bird Experience across the nation to over a dozen locations, with more to follow.
About Blue Bird Corp.
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is the leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses, with more than 550,000 buses sold since its formation in 1927 and approximately 180,000 buses in operation today. Blue Bird’s longevity and reputation in the school bus industry have made it an iconic American brand. Blue Bird distinguishes itself from its principal competitors by its singular focus on the design, engineering, manufacture, and sale of school buses and related parts. As the only manufacturer of chassis and body production specifically designed for school bus applications, Blue Bird is recognized as an industry leader for school bus innovation, safety, product quality/reliability/durability, operating costs and drivability.
In addition, Blue Bird is the market leader in alternative fuel applications with its propane-powered, electric and compressed natural gas-powered school buses. Blue Bird manufactures school buses at two facilities in Fort Valley, Georgia. Its Micro Bird joint venture operates a manufacturing facility in Drummondville, Que. Canada. Service and after-market parts are distributed from Blue Bird’s parts distribution center located in Delaware, Ohio. www.blue-bird.com
