Not all parts are used in equal measure, she contin-
ued. Some parts and materials are frequently consumed, while others are used on rare occasions and have differ- ing costs. “High-use items such as filters, belts, brake compo-
nents and other routine maintenance parts are typically stocked closer to where the work is being performed.” she added. “More specialized or expensive components are generally maintained centrally and distributed as needed. Like many districts, our fleet is evolving, and that means our inventory strategy must evolve with it. As we introduce new technologies and vehicle types, we are constantly evaluating what parts we need on hand and where they make the most sense to be stored.”
Reaping Benefits from Digital Transformations Digital transformations are taking place in all corners
of industrial management, and school bus fleets are no exception. However, slim school budgets with a broad-
26 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2026
ening portfolio of needs often mean that robust software for school transportation managers are slower to be implemented, and their most updated versions often lag what is commercially available. Trey Stow is the director of transportation operations
for the Fulton County Schools in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area, which uses NAPA Integrated Business Solu- tions, or IBS. Due to geographic challenges within the the district, each maintenance facility is co-located with its own NAPA auto parts store. NAPA controls inventory and sets minimum and max-
imum limits for each part according to use and need. Fulton County works with NAPA to change those limits when forseeing any changes that will need to be made. “NAPA has a driver on hand and an extensive network
of dealer contacts so that there is very little down time due to a part not being housed within the in-house NAPA store,” explained Stow. Fulton County Schools have already seen great results
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