may take longer to get there. In the school bus market, it makes so much sense. The duty cycle fits electrification and charging, range is not an issue since school district routes are normally shorter, and zero emissions advanc- es student health and performance.
STN: What is Blue Bird doing to strengthen the long- term health of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program? Wyskiel: The 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Pro- gram is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a total of $5 billion over five years for clean school bus transportation. To date, the EPA has awarded almost $3 billion to fund approximately 9,000 school bus replacements, approximately 95 percent of which are ze- ro-emission, battery-electric. Funding has been awarded to more than 1,300 school districts in nearly all 50 states and Washington, D.C. There is no question the program had an overwhelm-
ingly positive impact on children, communities and American manufacturing, bringing invaluable oppor- tunities to school districts to transition their fleets to zero-emission school buses. Communities across the country have benefited from the reduction in diesel tailpipe emissions that can negatively impact student and community health. As the leader in low- and ze-
ro-emission school buses, we have communicated and promoted the benefit at all levels of government.
STN: Can you update us on the status of standard lap/
shoulder seatbelts and other safety technology like driver airbags? Wyskiel: Blue Bird is recognized as a technology
leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team designs and manufactures school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability and durability. School buses carry the most precious car- go in the world, 25 million children twice a day, making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. Blue Bird made lap/shoulder belts standard on its buses late last year and the response has been over- whelmingly positive. Similarly, we will introduce airbags protecting drivers this fall. It’s a testimony to Blue Bird, whose school buses are designed, not adapted to the market, and whose focus on safety has been industry leading. If you could fast forward a decade, we will prob- ably look back and wonder how school transportation didn’t include seatbelts and airbags all along. I am proud that Blue Bird has taken the lead role in this area.
STN: Thank you. ●
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www.stnonline.com 25
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