DRIVING THE INDUSTRY SINCE 1991
working out. Obviously my experience with dealers and end users is a plus as we go to market in a very similar fashion. Collins is unique in the Type A school bus market because we are the only manufacturer where that is the single focus. I like the space we occupy, and believe my past experience will help drive our share in this segment.
STN: How would you describe the present Type A small school
bus market? Have you seen any particular trends among all the offerings?
PETERS: As I just mentioned, Collins is unique in this space
because we are 100 percent committed to building the very highest quality Type A school bus in the market. Presently, we are a year into the production of the NEXBUS, and I believe this school bus is heads and tails above the competition. We have built a safer, more reliable product than anything else in the market. We have introduced alter- native fuel options that the competition is chasing, but no one has stepped up to build a school bus with as many “voice of the customer” features as the NEXBUS.
STN: What are you currently seeing in the Type A small school bus
market as far as procurement? Have school district budgets reduced or increased their purchases of Type A buses? We know in many cases,
districts are only purchasing new Type As for special needs. PETERS: No doubt, dollars continue to be very tight, and every
single school district, childcare provider, and special needs applications are being stretched to do more with less. We are definitely seeing school districts wrestling with longer-duty cycles on existing buses. Overall, we believe school district budgets have been reduced. What is important for school districts to evaluate is the total cost of the vehicle. I have spoken to many fleet directors who are struggling with
increased maintenance costs associated with older fleets. We need to make sure that as an industry we are helping these folks see the total cost of these buses. In the case of NEXBUS by Collins, the safety features in this school bus compared to older models are unparalleled.
STN: How is Collins Bus staying ahead of the curve in this mar- ket? What innovations, be it structural, technological or engine-relat-
ed, is the company infusing into its product line? PETERS: Before we ever designed one element of the NEXBUS,
we listened to the customer. We spoke to drivers, mechanics, transpor- tation directors, contractors, superintendents and parents. Te results of these conversations led us to the product we have designed and built for today’s school bus needs. Tis bus starts with safety, but also must be affordable, provide flexibility, more visibility, and greater reliability and serviceability. NEXBUS by Collins achieves all of these very important objectives, and is on the front edge of the market curve. In addition, we are aggressively providing alternative fuel options
in the form of propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) powered school buses. We are the only Type A provider that has built both alternative-fuel configurations.
STN: Anything else you’d like to add? PETERS: I’m very excited to be a part of the Collins Bus Corpora-
tion team, and I have been very impressed with the tremendous effort that goes into the build of every single bus here at Collins. Te dedica- tion and commitment of the Collins Bus team is very impressive. Every day I am in town, I take as much time as possible to walk the
facility and see and listen to what is going on. Te passion to build a quality bus is equal to the passion I saw in those drivers’ eyes during the KSPTA Roadeo.
www.stnonline.com 47
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