TABLE OF CONTENTS March 2010 THIS ISSUE: School bus garages are beginning to draw


upon the many resources available through the Internet that school districts have been tapping into for years. Whether it’s re- searching new parts or inventory, or finding an online tutorial on how to troubleshoot engines issues, there is a growing push to find answers to every problem online. Along with this comes an evolution


of how technicians are diagnosing their vehicles before they hit the net. Laptop computers are becoming a mainstay of every toolbox, and mechanics are becom- ing more computer savvy to come up with solutions quicker and more efficiently.


FEATURES: At the Click of a Mouse


36 Online ordering and inventory management remains unrealistic for many school districts with limited infrastructure resources, say vendors and manufacturers


Running Out of Options


40 Hard-pressed districts are faced with extending bus lives, keeping a close eye on their fleets and deciding on which way to meet stringent emission standards


A Conversation with Ken Hedgecock of Thomas Built Buses


44 Te vice president of sales, marketing and service for the High Point, N.C.-based company discusses the state of the school bus industry


Pass the Wrench…and the Laptop


48 Technicians are finding that tools — and the necessary training — are evolving beyond the set they started with and into the computer age


The Evolving Garage


54 A look at the many generations of mechanics/ technicians keeping buses running down the roads


4 School Transportation News Magazine March 2010 Volume IX Issue 03


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