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Blue Bird Dealer Opens Full-Service Facility for School Buses in New York State

2023-10-17T11:05:00+00:00

New York Bus Sales Establishes New 20,000-Square-Foot Dealership

MACON, Ga. (Oct. 17, 2023) – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, applauds New York Bus Sales for establishing a new dealership location to help the school bus manufacturer meet the increasing demand for its state-of-the-art school and multi-purpose buses.

New York Bus Sales opened a new 20,000-square-foot dealership location in Batavia, Ny. The facility offers a comprehensive line of new and pre-owned Blue Bird and Micro Bird school, commercial, and multi-purpose buses for 10 up to 90 passengers. Vehicles range from traditional diesel buses to low- and zero-emission propane and electric powered buses.

Blue Bird and its authorized dealer, New York Bus Sales, anticipate increased demand for clean student transportation in the state. New York State passed its statewide mandate for all new school buses purchased to be zero-emission by 2027 and all school buses in operation to be electric by 2035. The legislation was accompanied by $500 million in funding through a subsequent voter-approved environmental bond act.

“We are thrilled to expand our presence in the Empire State and to bring the full line of Blue Bird and Micro Bird buses to school districts in the western part of the state,” said Sean Finnerty, president of New York Bus Sales. “In particular, we are pleased to help school districts transition to electric, zero-emission school buses. We have eleven, state-of-the-art service bays at our disposal and will be able to charge simultaneously up to 80 electric school buses on site. The future of school bus transportation is electric. Blue Bird and New York Bus Sales are clearly at the forefront of technology leadership and customer service.”

New York Bus Sales customers can rely on nearly 25 certified sales, service, maintenance, repair, and parts support staff to ensure the safe and reliable operation of vehicles ranging from individual buses to large bus fleets.

“We are excited to build on our long-standing partnership with New York Bus Sales in New York State,” said Tim Gordon, vice president of sales and marketing of Blue Bird Corporation. “More and more school districts adopt low- and zero-emission school buses. For nearly a century, Blue Bird has provided reliable student transportation. We are confident that the first-rate dealership staff at New York Bus Sales will continue to provide excellent service to Blue Bird and Micro Bird customers, thereby, maximizing vehicle uptime and performance.”

New York Bus Sales has served as an authorized Blue Bird bus dealer in New York State for nearly forty years. New York Bus Sales is headquartered in Chittenango, Ny., and also operates locations in Ravena and Middletown. The new dealership is fully operational and located on 4450 West Saile Drive in Batavia, Ny.

Press Photo/Caption:Blue Bird’s authorized bus dealer New York Bus Sales opened a new 20,000-square-foot facility in Batavia, Ny., to meet the increasing demand for electric and low-emission buses. The dealership offers the full line of new and pre-owned Blue Bird and Micro Bird school, commercial, and multi-purpose buses for customers in the western part of the state.

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. Blue Bird buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – the majority of 25 million children twice a day – making us the most trusted brand in the industry. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

About New York Bus Sales

New York Bus Sales, LLC offers the complete line of Blue Bird and Micro Bird school and commercial buses along with four comprehensive parts and service centers located in Chittenango, Batavia, Middletown and Ravena, NY. New York Bus Sales, LLC is recognized as an industry leader in the northeast for its sales and support of both traditional and Alternative Fueled products. To find out how New York Bus Sales, LLC can assist you with your transportation needs, please call 315-687-3969, or visit us at www.newyorkbussales.com.

Blue Bird Media Contact
Julianne Barclay
TSN Communications
M: +1.267.934.5340
E: julianne@tsncommunications.com

New York Bus Sales Media Contact
Shelbie Jenkins
T: +1.315.687.3969
E: sjenkins@newyorkbussales.com

Blue Bird Delivers 13 Electric School Buses to Bowling Green Independent Schools in Kentucky

2023-09-19T11:05:00+00:00

First Zero-emission Vehicles in Districts’ School Bus Fleet

MACON, Ga. (Sept. 19, 2023) – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, is supplying 13 electric school buses to the Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD) in Kentucky. The school district serves approximately 4,400 students in eight schools. BGISD launched a pilot program to expand its school bus fleet with zero-emission vehicles to help advance student and community health.

Blue Bird will provide ten Vision and three All American electric school buses to BGISD. Vision Type C electric buses can carry 72 students for up to 120 miles on a single charge. All American Type D electric buses can transport up to 84 students for the same distance. Depending on the charging infrastructure, both model buses take between three and eight hours to recharge fully.

Blue Bird’s zero-emission vehicles will travel up to 75 miles on seven routes each school day, as they pick up and safely transport around 2,300 students to and from schools.

“Bowling Green Independent Schools could not be more excited about ushering in a new era of zero-emission student transportation by acquiring our first 13 state-of-the-art electric school buses,” said BGISD Superintendent Gary Fields. “We are looking forward to a successful pilot program and to building on our relationship with Blue Bird.”

Bowling Green Independent Schools received a $5,135,000 grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Program to purchase its Blue Bird electric school bus fleet. This program is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) which provides a total of $5 billion over five years for clean school bus transportation nationwide. Last year, the EPA awarded nearly $1 billion in funding to school districts across all 50 U.S. states for more than 2,400 clean school buses. In 2023, the EPA plans to offer an additional $1 billion in funding for low- and zero-emission school buses, including $400 million in competitive grants.

“We are thrilled to help Bowling Green Independent Schools transition to electric buses and clean student transportation,” said Britton Smith, president of Blue Bird Corporation. “The school district is poised to benefit greatly from Blue Bird’s high performing, advanced electric vehicles. Our Vision and All American buses perform exceptionally well in all weather conditions – from extreme heat to freezing cold – due to the outstanding thermal management of the batteries. In addition, we anticipate that the school district will realize significant savings. Blue Bird customers have reported an average 14 cents per mile in energy costs for electric buses compared to up to 49 cents per mile in fuel costs for their diesel buses.”

Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company remains the proven clean transportation leader with more than 1,000 electric-powered, zero-emission school buses in operation today. BGISD purchased its advanced electric vehicles through Blue Bird’s authorized school bus dealer Central States Bus Sales in Lexington, Ky.

Press Photo/Caption:Blue Bird is delivering 13 electric, zero-emission school buses to the Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD) in Kentucky to help the school district accelerate its transition to clean student transportation. BGISD buses transport daily around 2,300 students to and from schools. (Image provided by Bowling Green Independent School District)

About Blue Bird Corporation

About the Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD)

Bowling Green Independent Schools are preparing students to be excellent citizens, employees, and future leaders, both locally and globally. Educators in our schools strive to get to know each child and their families, to provide the best opportunities to learn, grow, and connect to the world. BGISD has existed since the 1880s and has long been known for excellence in academic programs and success in athletics. The district serves approximately 4,400 students in preschool through 12th grade in eight schools: T. C. Cherry Elementary, Dishman McGinnis Elementary, Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary, Potter Gray Elementary, and W. R. McNeill Elementary, Bowling Green Junior High, Bowling Green High School, and the Bowling Green Learning Center, the district’s alternative school. For more information visit www.bgreen.kyschools.us.

Blue Bird Media Contact
Julianne Barclay
TSN Communications
M: +1.267.934.5340
E: julianne@tsncommunications.com

Bowling Green Independent School District Media Contact
Leslie McCoy
Director of Communications
Bowling Green Independent Schools
T: +1.270.746.2200
E: leslie.mccoy@bgreen.kyschools.us

Blue Bird Donates Electric School Bus to Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation

2023-08-30T11:05:00+00:00

Bus Will Serve as Mobile Computer Lab and Advance Foundation’s Digital Literacy Programs

MACON, Ga. (Aug. 30, 2023) – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has donated an advanced Blue Bird Vision electric school bus to the Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pa. The bus will be turned into a mobile computer lab to expand the foundation’s digital literacy programs for local community members in need.

The Blue Bird computer lab on wheels will serve both children and adults in low-income communities to develop critical computer skills for future success and upward mobility. The foundation anticipates assisting up to 200 students and adult-learners per week to help close the digital divide in our communities. The mobile computer lab will operate weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and travel to a different neighborhood each day.

Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Famer and legendary former football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, founded the Bus Stops Here Foundation in 1997. Nicknamed "the Bus" for his large size and running style, Bettis has utilized his foundation to provide education, sports, technology, and recreational opportunities to the underprivileged youth of the inner-city. Jerome Bettis also resides in Atlanta, Ga. – the same state that Blue Bird has called home for nearly a century.

“My Bus Stops Here Foundation has worked over the past few years to help close the digital divide for inner-city communities,” said Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Famer. “Covid-19 really exposed this issue even more, so I knew we had to do something more impactful, and the CyberBus is the next bus stop on that journey to create an equal opportunity for all.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Jerome Bettis and his Bus Stops Here Foundation,” said Blue Bird CEO Phil Horlock. “Now our electric bus will turn into a powerful vehicle to bridge the digital divide in our communities. In addition, this bus generates zero emissions, protecting the health of our most vulnerable students and communities.”

Blue Bird donated a pre-owned Vision all-electric school bus in excellent condition to the foundation. The 37-foot electric bus can traditionally carry a maximum of 66 students for up to 120 miles on a single charge.

Blue Bird partner organization InCharge Energy will donate a Level 2 AC vehicle charger to the foundation enabling the bus to be recharged overnight. The donation includes the charging hardware, one year of InControl software and data plan, a virtual site assessment and a route planning consultation.

Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with nearly 1,000 electric-powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird manufactures its school buses in Fort Valley, Ga. The shift to clean student transportation helps Blue Bird sustain approx. 2,000 good-paying jobs.

Press Photo/Caption:Blue Bird donated an all-electric, zero-emission school bus to the Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pa. The bus will be turned into a mobile computer lab to expand the foundation’s digital literacy community programs.

About Blue Bird Corporation

About Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation

Founded in 1997 by Pro Football Hall of Famer, Jerome Bettis, the Bus Stops Here Foundation is dedicated to improving the overall quality of life for under-resourced, inner-city youth. The Bus Stops Here Foundation accomplishes this by providing financial resources, educational and recreational programs and mentoring that will assist youth in learning to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy choices. In support of the WOW CyberBus initiative, the Bus Stops Here Foundation brings decades of experience in engaging the region’s youth, as well as the brand ambassadorship of one of our region’s most beloved celebrities. For more information, visit https://thebusstopsherefoundation.org.

Blue Bird Media Contact
Julianne Barclay
TSN Communications
M: +1.267.934.5340
E: julianne@tsncommunications.com

Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation Media Contact
Bethany Vietmeier
Executive Director
Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation
T: +1.412.720.5195
E: bethv@busstopsherefoundation.org

Blue Bird Delivers 20 Electric School Buses to Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida

2023-08-15T11:05:00+00:00

First Zero-emission Vehicles in School Districts’ All Blue Bird School Bus Fleet

MACON, Ga. (Aug. 15, 2023) – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, is supplying 20 electric school buses to Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) in Florida, the first zero-emission vehicles in the districts’ all Blue Bird fleet of school buses.

M-DCPS is the third-largest school district in the nation with more than 335,000 students and 50,000 adult learners. The milestone delivery represents a crucial step by the school district to shift to clean student transportation and to lower harmful greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

Blue Bird will provide its state-of-the-art Vision electric school buses to M-DCPS. Each vehicle can carry 72 students for up to 120 miles on a single charge. M-DCPS plans to team up with Florida Power & Light, the largest power utility in the state, to install 50 DC fast charging stations. Ten charging stations at the school district’s Southwest Transportation Facility should be operational by September 2023. Based on M-DCPS’ future charging infrastructure, the buses will take approximately six hours to recharge fully.

M-DCPS maintains an all Blue Bird bus fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles. M-DCPS school buses travel more than 13,000 miles each school day, as they pick up and safely transport 40,000 students to and from schools.

“Miami-Dade County Public Schools is excited to put its first 20 electric, zero-emission school buses into service signaling that we put our student and community health first,” said M-DCPS Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres. “We are looking forward to a successful pilot program and to building on our decades-long relationship with Blue Bird, the district’s student transportation provider of choice.”

M-DCPS received a $11.6 million grant from Florida’s Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement Trust fund to acquire Blue Bird’s advanced electric, zero-emission school buses.

“This pilot program is a wonderful first step in the electrification of Miami-Dade’s fleet and improving the air quality for its students and the community at-large,” said Britton Smith, president of Blue Bird Corporation. “As the leader in zero- and low-emission school buses, we could not be more pleased to help a long-term and highly valued customer transition to electric buses and clean student transportation. We greatly appreciate the trust Miami-Dade County Public Schools has placed in Blue Bird and are looking forward to growing our relationship for many years to come.”

Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company remains the proven clean transportation leader with nearly 1,000 electric-powered, zero-emission school buses in operation today. M-DCPS purchased its advanced electric vehicles through Blue Bird’s authorized and family-owned school bus dealer Florida Transportation Systems, Inc. in Tampa, Fla.

Press Photo/Caption: Blue Bird is delivering 20 Vision electric school buses to Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) in Florida to help the school district accelerate its transition to clean student transportation. M-DCPS operates a fleet of nearly 1,000 Blue Bird buses which transport 40,000 students daily.

About Blue Bird Corporation

About Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), an A-rated district, is the nation’s third largest school system with nearly 500 schools and a diverse enrollment of more than 335,500 students from over 160 countries. Our ongoing tradition of groundbreaking achievement has earned top recognition at the national and international levels and makes M-DCPS your best choice. For more information on M-DCPS visit www.dadeschools.net.

Blue Bird Media Contact
Julianne Barclay
TSN Communications
M: +1.267.934.5340
E: julianne@tsncommunications.com

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Media Contact
Elmo R. Lugo
Media Relations Director
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
M: +1.786.697.8659
E: erlugo@dadeschools.net