Transportation company receives milestone bus; chooses Blue Bird
Vision Gasoline for reliability and maintenance cost savings
Blue Bird Corporation has proudly delivered its 5,000th gasoline-powered
school bus, following it’s “first-to-market” introduction just over two
years ago. The Type C gasoline bus has grown in popularity due to low
upfront costs, reliable cold-weather startup and heating capabilities,
ease of fueling accessibility, and maintenance cost savings.
WE Transport in Plainview, New York, received delivery of the milestone
bus in December, along with 59 other Blue Bird Vision Gasoline buses.
“This is the first time WE Transport has brought fuel other than diesel
into our bus fleet,” said Bart Marksohn, owner of the school
transportation contractor, WE Transport. “Our wish for an affordable,
reliable bus came true when Blue Bird and our dealer, Bird Bus, offered
the Vision gasoline model. We are extremely happy with our decision and
foresee gasoline being a big part of our future operations.”
Marksohn noted that the buses’ low upfront cost and proven reliability
were factors in their decision. WE Transport services more than 50
districts throughout New York, many of which are located on Long Island.
The Gas Buses will be used in Plainview, Island Trees, and Smithtown,
with WE Transport being New York’s first contractor to operate a large
gasoline school bus fleet.
“After reviewing the gasoline value with WE Transport, no sales pitch
was needed,” said Rick Reichenbach, CEO of Bird Bus Sales, the New York
Blue Bird dealer. “The company is first-class and Bird Bus is honored to
share in their success.”
Sales of the Blue Bird Vision Gasoline bus have grown significantly
since its introduction in the fall of 2016. The bus is built on the Ford
6.8-liter V10 engine and equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech fuel system.
Nearly 1,000 school districts now operate Blue Bird’s gasoline school
bus.
Because they require no costly after-treatment systems or fluids like
diesel buses, Blue Bird Vision Gasoline school buses are easy to
maintain. They also run on the same proven Ford/ROUSH CleanTech
powertrain system, which operates on thousands of buses in their propane
platform.
About Blue Bird Corporation: 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, Quebec, Canada.
Service and after-market parts are distributed from Blue Bird’s parts
distribution center located in Delaware, Ohio. For more information on
Blue Bird’s complete line of buses, visit www.blue-bird.com.
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