Retrofitted Buses Will Save Energy, Money and the Environment
Spring Valley, NY…. Children in the East Ramapo and Ramapo Central School Districts will enjoy a cleaner, healthier environment thanks to Chestnut Ridge Transportation. The transportation company, a member of The Trans Group, LLC (Spring Valley, NY), has been awarded a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to replace and/or upgrade the school bus fleets it operates for East Ramapo and Ramapo Central schools. The grant was awarded in conjunction with the National School Transportation Association’s (NSTA) Go Yellow, Go Green national campaign that encourages cleaner operation of school buses through the reduction of school bus idling and the implementation of the latest clean diesel technologies. Robin Leeds, former NSTA Industry Specialist, will manage the grant.
“The EPA congratulates the National School Transportation Association and Chestnut Ridge Transportation for their participation in this EPA diesel emission reduction program and we applaud them for focusing on important environmental issues targeted at improving children’s health,” said Jenna Salomone, Project Officer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
With the help of the grant, Chestnut Ridge Transportation will retrofit 40 school buses with EPA-verified diesel oxidation catalysts and direct-fired heaters and equip an additional 75 school buses that already have DOCs with direct-fired heaters. In total, the upgraded fleets will help provide an environment that is significantly cleaner by reducing engine exhaust and eliminating idling time while buses heat up.
“By installing fuel-operated heaters in these buses, we will eliminate the need to preheat the vehicles through engine idling and reduce harmful carbon emissions,” said Timothy E. Flood, Executive Vice President of The Trans Group. “We believe in investing in the future of the communities we serve and are pleased that we can do our part in helping to make our environment a better place for the next generation.”
The National School Transportation Association is the national membership association representing school bus companies that contract with public school districts to transport students to and from school and school activities. Its primary purpose is the promotion of safe, healthy, and cost-effective school bus transportation.
Headed by NSTA Hall of Fame member John Corr, The Trans Group family of companies employs over 1,300 individuals and operates over 1,000 school and public transit buses in lower New York State. The company is actively involved in the school bus industry on a state and national level.