UPDATE
“ We plan for Zum ’ s entire fleet to be 100 percent EV by 2025 , but we can ’ t wait for technology to catch up to our ambitions to drive sustainable change ,” said Ritu Narayan , CEO and founder of Zum . “ Transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States , and we have an opportunity to make an immediate positive impact on society and provide students with carbon neutral rides . We invite other transportation companies to join us , so we can increase this impact industry-wide as quickly as possible .” More than 90 percent of the country ’ s 500,000 school buses run on diesel engines today , which have harmful environmental and health consequences . They emit pollution that disproportionately impacts children whose lungs are not yet fully developed and poorer communities , leading to increased school absenteeism . A new UN report shows we ’ re in a critical moment now , as scientists say we ’ ll cross a crucial temperature threshold as early as 2030 — a decade sooner than previously thought — unless deep reductions in greenhouse gases happen right away . The Biden Administration ’ s infrastructure bill and support for a clean future further accelerates this change , putting a spotlight on the potential for a better system . “ We ’ re thrilled to be working with a partner like Zum that is not only providing a modern student transportation service for our district , but is also committed to making the world a healthier place for San Francisco Unified students , drivers , families and community ,” said Faauuga Moliga , vice president of San Francisco Unified School District School Board . “ Zum , by making all rides carbon neutral , is making a real difference starting now , while continuing to work on the zero emission future as the EV technology advances — and that ’ s the type of commitment our planet and communities need from student transportation providers .” As part of this investment , Zum is working with 3Degrees , a firm that helps organizations achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals , to support verified emissions reductions projects . Those projects include the Winston Creek Forest Project — a 10,000 acre forest in Washington State that serves as a bridge for owls traveling from nesting locations — and the Meridian SF6 Reduction Project — which , in the auto parts manufacturing process , replaces a powerful greenhouse gas that has a global warming impact 22,800 times greater than CO2 . “ As organizations work to decarbonize their operations as aggressively and as quickly as possible , supporting emissions reduction projects through the purchase of verified carbon credits is a critical near-term solution to address their direct and indirect emissions ,” said Stephanie Harris , director , carbon markets at 3Degrees . “ We ’ re excited to see Zum take immediate action to address its carbon footprint as it continues to make progress on transitioning to a completely electrified fleet .”
Quick ’ s Bus celebrates 75 years , wins VMA awards
Friendly transactions , safe , clean vehicle interiors and reliable , trustworthy service have been cornerstones of Quick ’ s Bus success for the past 75 years . For the third-generation company ’ s service to peers and the state ’ s motor coach industry during COVID-19 , Quick ’ s has won the 2021 Robert T . Mitchell Public Service Award from the Virginia Motorcoach Association ( VMA ). Quick ’ s Bus , family owned and founded in 1946 , received VMA ’ s Robert T . Mitchell Award for the third time in the company ’ s history . Previous winners were President Jason Quick ’ s father , Robert L . Quick Jr . and his grandfather Robert L . Quick , co-founder of the company . And after an unprecedented year for U . S . motorcoach operators , Jason Quick said the Mitchell Award has special meaning .
Jason Quick ( left ) and Mona Seaman won awards from the Virginia Motorcoach Association .
“ After months with our fleet parked , Quick ’ s Bus is back on the road and ready to build ,” said Jason Quick , who noted how staff worked throughout 2020 to stay top-of-mind with clients while preparing the safest passenger experience when it was time to restart . He and team members also worked with VMA and companies in the state , keeping them informed on the government programs and more . Quick ’ s operates a mobile service truck assuring reliability on the road no matter where its coaches go and is always ready to help other operators with that
type of service when needed . “ We are all friendly competitors . It ’ s been a challenging time for our entire industry , but bus travel is still one of the most economical and environmentally sound ways to see the country . It ’ s time for us to come back stronger than ever .”
Quick ’ s Bus has a long history of logging more than a million miles annually with charters to Washington , D . C ., up and down the Eastern seaboard and to destinations across the U . S . and Canada . Jason Quick joined the family business from college in 1994 after his grandfather called him and said , “ It ’ s time to drive some buses .” He worked his way up in the business , taking over as president when his father died in 2019 . “ My grandfather knew everyone and would help everyone and my dad ( who served in the army for 22 years returning to the company in 1992 ) added his military discipline ,” he said . “ Both styles worked . We treat our people and customers like family . Some of our drivers have been with us for more than 35 years .” The company received their award at VMA ’ s 2021 annual meeting , held August 8 - 11 in Harrisonburg , Virginia . Established in 1968 , the award is named for one of VMA ’ s founders and presented to members who distinguish themselves among their peers and as effective negotiators for their industry at the state level . Mona Seaman , vice president , who joined Quick ’ s in 2001 , received the VMA President ’ s Award for her career accomplishments and strong support during the COVID – 19 lockdown . “ There is immense pride carrying on a legacy where your family name is visible on the equipment that ’ s seen out on our roads ,” said Jason Quick . “ Customers stick with us because we offer good value , great service and consistency , and we meet their demands as fast as we can .”
10 | BUSRIDE . COM | OCTOBER 2021