Books on the Bus (BOB) has had a new wheelchair lift installed so that the mobile books and entertainment program will be accessible to all children this summer. Sonny Merryman, Inc. donated the wheelchair lift and its installation. BOB spent spring break at Sonny Merryman, Inc.’s headquarters in Evington, Virginia, having the new lift installed. … Continued
As more fleet operators begin to consider, a transition to battery-electric vehicles, they are also facing new realities in implementing and maintaining a complex energy ecosystem along with new challenges and upfront costs. To help fleets take on these new operational issues, Proterra, a developer and supplier of heavy-duty electric transportation systems and services, has … Continued
Diesel engine vehicles can be damaged by using low quality diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). This includes catalyst poisoning, deposits which can restrict equipment from operating, and DEF injector and filter clogging. Repairs can be very expensive with long downtime possible, and damage could void the manufacturer’s warranty. These potential dangers demonstrate why education about using … Continued
As leaders in innovation in the school bus industry, I admit that there is a lot of new technology coming along today. To some, it may seem like too much, with so many bits and pieces flying around: new gadgets to learn, new components to maintain and new features to spec. To others, many of … Continued
Clean-diesel today isn’t what it was 10 or 15 years ago and, in fact, it’s still the best long-term solution for most districts. With so much talk about alternative fuels today, diesel has become a dirty word – literally. Districts running a diesel fleet are starting to feel the pressure to switch to something cleaner … Continued
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration is one of the largest pain points for school bus operators and maintenance technicians. It’s not uncommon to hear of fleets who experience multiple regen issues a day, causing their buses to remain parked or on the side of the road in need of a manual regen. “It’s been a … Continued
#TeamSonny headed out to Denver, Colorado this week for the annual Thomas Built Buses Dealer Meeting. Every year, Thomas Built dealers from all over the United States and Canada come together to collaborate with one another, discuss industry changes and trends, and learn about new and upcoming technology, such as Thomas’ first electric bus, the eC2. … Continued
Daimler Trucks has announced a major move toward series production of Level 4 autonomous vehicles with a majority stake acquisition of autonomous technology developer Torc Robotics. The company said the acquisition also signals a move that will make the United States the focus of its efforts to move from Level 2 autonomous truck technology to Level … Continued
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Virginia Beach City Public Schools is launching an app that lets parents track where their child’s school bus is. Here Comes the Bus will be available February 4. It’s an app that enables parents and students to see where their school bus is in real time using their smart phone. “We have 630 buses on … Continued
A simple philanthropic saying has resonated through generations of the Merryman Family. “My grandmother always had a saying that for every dollar you give back, you’re going to probably reap five in return,” Floyd Merryman III, a 1981 Virginia Tech graduate, said during an interview with the university last fall. “Our family has been blessed … Continued
