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School Bus Company to Implement Nationwide Anti-Idling Program and Pay Penalties for Clean Air Act Violations
Public Health Benefits as Nation Recognizes School Bus Safety Week

School Bus Company to Implement Nationwide Anti-Idling Program and Pay Penalties for Clean Air Act Violations

(Boston, Mass. – October 21, 2009) – As part of a settlement for clean air violations, school bus operator First Student will commit to reduce idling from its nationwide fleet of 50,000 school buses.

The anti-idling measures are the result of an EPA enforcement action to address illegal idling at Connecticut and Rhode Island school bus lots. This nationwide effort will reduce school children's exposure to diesel pollution and help clean the nation's air. First Student, Inc. will also pay a fine of $128,000 and perform environmental projects valued at over $1 million.

"Pollution from diesel vehicles is a serious problem across the country. Children, especially those suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments, are particularly vulnerable to diesel exhaust," said Ira W. Leighton, acting regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "October is Children's Health Month, so it is especially timely that our work will result in First Student's aggressive measures to limit school bus idling and help protect the health of school children nationwide."

First Student is one of the largest school bus companies in North America, transporting four million students in 40 states across the country. In 2008, an EPA inspector observed buses idling for lengthy periods of time at First Student school bus lots in both Conn. and R.I. Some buses were observed idling for up to two and a half hours prior to departing the lot to pick up school children. More...