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Waterville Central School District Transportation Supervisor Gets a Front-Row Seat to Bus-Making

Waterville Central School District Transportation Supervisor Gets a Front-Row Seat to Bus-Making

Ethan Ostrander, Transportation Supervisor recently had the unique opportunity to tour the Blue Bird Manufacturing Plant in Georgia, courtesy of the New York Bus Sales.

This experience allowed Ostrander to see firsthand how the large buses are built. The Blue Bird plant produces 40-50 buses daily to meet the needs of schools across the country.

In addition, Ostrander was part of the first group ever to tour the International Motion Manufacturing Inc. (IMMI) plant, where bus seats are manufactured. The IMMI facility produces approximately 800 seats each day, ensuring that every bus is equipped with the highest quality features.

Among the highlights of the trip was viewing the very first bus ever made in 1927, a reminder of how school buses have evolved over time.

Waterville Central School District is grateful to New York Bus Sales for making this experience possible. Not many schools are given the chance to see behind the scenes of bus manufacturing, and this tour provided valuable insight into the expertise that goes into building the vehicles that carry our students to school.

Photos from the tour, including the historic 1927 bus, are shared above. 

 

The image displays a welcome message for %22Blue Bird%22 New York Bus Sales and Special Guests, featuring a school bus in the foreground and a backdrop of flags and a building.
A group of people, likely school bus drivers or transportation workers, standing in front of a yellow school bus with the text %22SCHOOL BUS%22 visible, against a background of yellow text and graphics.
The image shows the interior of a Blue Bird business establishment, with a large Blue Bird logo prominently displayed on the wall. Several people are gathered in the foreground, seemingly engaged in some activity or conversation.
The image shows a group of people standing in a hallway with a large sign that reads %22Leading the Next Level of Safety%22 on the wall.
The image shows a warehouse-like space with rows of orange metal shelving units stacked with various gray and black objects, likely computer components or electronics.
A large, bright yellow school bus is prominently displayed in the foreground of the image, surrounded by various tools and equipment in what appears to be a workshop or industrial setting.
A vintage yellow school bus from 1927, labeled %22Blue Bird%22, stands in a large indoor space with a high ceiling and industrial-style lighting.
A vintage yellow school bus-like vehicle with a black chassis and wooden body is displayed in a large industrial warehouse setting, surrounded by various other vehicles and equipment.
A dimly lit indoor space with rows of wooden benches and a high ceiling with exposed beams, creating a sense of industrial or utilitarian atmosphere.