Retrofitted school buses that operate about an hours drive northwest of New York City figure to save on energy and money while helping the environment.
Now students in the East Ramapo and Ramapo (N.Y.) Central School Districts will enjoy a cleaner environment thanks to a grant awarded to Chestnut Ridge Transportation. The school bus contractor, a member of The Trans Group LLC in Spring Valley, has won a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace or upgrade the school bus fleets it operates for the two districts.
The grant was awarded in conjunction with the National School Transportation Association’s (NSTA) Go Yellow, Go Green national campaign that encourages cleaner operation of school buses by reducing school bus idling and utilizing the latest clean diesel technologies. Robin Leeds, former NSTA Industry Specialist, will manage the grant.
With the help of the grant, Chestnut Ridge Transportation will retrofit 40 school buses with EPA-verified diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) and direct-fired heaters. Another 75 school buses that already have DOCs will also be equipped with direct-fired heaters. In total, the upgraded fleets will help clean up the environment by reducing engine exhaust and minimizing idling time while buses heat up.
“By installing fuel-operated heaters in these buses, we will eliminate the need to preheat the vehicles through engine idling and reduce harmful carbon emissions,” said Timothy E. Flood, executive vice president of The Trans Group. “We are pleased that we can do our part in helping to make our environment a better place for the next generation.”
Headed by NSTA Hall of Fame member John Corr, The Trans Group family of companies employs more than 1,300 people and operates 1,000-plus school and public transit buses in lower New York State.
NSTA is the national membership association representing school bus companies that contract with public school districts to transport students to and from school and school activities. Its primary purpose is the promotion of safe, healthy, and cost-effective school bus transportation.
“The EPA congratulates NSTA and Chestnut Ridge Transportation for their participation in this EPA diesel emission reduction program, and we applaud them for focusing on important environmental issues,” said Jenna Salomone, EPA project officer.
