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energy partners to expand the company ’ s Green Fleet of loweremission vehicles . Halley has played a key role in STA ’ s move to the forefront of the industry in the use of electric , propane , compressed natural gas and biofuels . He joined the company in 2012 , when it purchased 400 propane-powered vehicles — the largest all-propane school bus fleet in the United States — to serve public schools in Omaha , Nebraska . STA has since expanded its Green Fleet initiative to markets across the country . It was the first to introduce propane and alternative-fuel vehicles to several communities , including St . Paul , Minnesota ; Grand Junction , Colorado ; Canby , Lake Oswego and Tigard , Oregon ; and others . To date , STA has replaced more than 2,000 diesel-engine school buses with alternative-fuel vehicles . The company has received a Green Fleet Magazine Sustainability All-Star Award for its leadership in the space . “ The Electric Vehicle Pilot Program is a natural progression of our good work in propane and lower-emission alternatives ,” Halley said . “ I look forward to working with my team and local leadership , as well as infrastructure suppliers and manufacturers , as STA moves even further into eco-conscious student transportation .” Halley was previously director of assets at Harsco Metals and Minerals , a worldwide provider of steel mill services , and a senior manager at FedEx Ground . He started his career as a packagehandler at UPS , working his way up to district automotive manager . During his tenure there , in partnership with Washington Natural Gas , he converted vehicles to compressed natural gas ( CNG ) and installed a CNG compressor station and charging manifold at the UPS site in Bladensburg , Maryland . Halley graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis and holds a degree in Automotive and Diesel Technology .
Matthias Gründler ( left ), CEO of TRATON , and Persio Lisboa , president and CEO of Navistar , Inc .
TRATON Group completes Navistar mergere
The TRATON GROUP is welcoming a new member of the family : Navistar . The certificate of merger that was submitted in July successfully completes the closing and means that the merger between the US commercial vehicle manufacturer and TRATON is complete . The TRATON GROUP now holds all Navistar common shares . Navistar is to be delisted and deregistered with the SEC during July 2021 . The addition of Navistar as the newest member of the TRATON GROUP marks the beginning of a new era . " Today is a sensational day for the TRATON GROUP and for our new colleagues at Navistar joining the global TRATON family ,” said TRATON CEO Matthias Gründler . “ From this day on , we will be working side by side to bring sustainable transportation of the future one step closer . This is something the entire group is looking forward to . The fact that this merger has been implemented so quickly and smoothly , despite the obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic , is testament to the impressive team work on both sides of the Atlantic . I would like to thank each and every one involved ." " Over the past five years , Navistar and the TRATON brands have worked very well together and it is exciting to become now part of the global TRATON GROUP ," said Navistar President and CEO Persio Lisboa . " Our common understanding of the future of transportation and our joint heritage create a very solid basis for our common way forward . The transport industry is changing rapidly . And together we will shape this change – for the sake of our customers . The Navistar team is ready for the next step of collaboration ." A strategic alliance has been in place between TRATON and Navistar since 2017 , with both partners benefiting from the considerable value generated by enhanced purchasing power and the integration of new technologies . As a new brand of the TRATON GROUP , Navistar will be in a better position to meet the growing requirements of the market and to improve its customer offering even further , especially with respect to the transition to electric mobility and the establishment of autonomous driving . Combining TRATON ' s leading position in the European and South American markets with Navistar ' s strong presence in North America lays the foundation for a premier company with a global reach and complimentary capabilities . The purchase price was approximately 3.7 billion USD . With its brands Scania , MAN , Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus , Navistar , and RIO , TRATON SE is one of the world ' s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers . Its range comprises light-duty commercial vehicles , trucks , and buses . The Group aims to reinvent transportation — with its products , its services , and as a partner to its customers . For TRATON , sustainable economic growth always includes treating people and nature with respect . The People , Planet , and Performance triad will shape the future of our Company . Navistar is a purpose-driven company , reimagining how to deliver what matters to create more cohesive relationships , build higher-performing teams and find solutions where others don ' t . Navistar is the Lisle , Illinois-based parent company of International ® brand commercial trucks and engines , IC Bus ® brand school and commercial buses , all-makes OnCommand ® Connection advanced connectivity services , aftermarket parts brands Fleetrite ® , ReNEWed ® and Diamond Advantage ® and Brazilian manufacturer of engines and gensets MWM Motores Diesel e Geradores . With a history of innovation dating back to 1831 , Navistar has more than 12,000 employees worldwide and is part of TRATON SE , a global champion of the truck and transport services industry .
BusPatrol to launch in Niagara Falls City
BusPatrol announced in July a new partnership with the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls City School District to improve school bus safety . The safety program is set to go live on September 1st . All 100 buses in the Niagara Falls City School District will benefit from the BusPatrol platform that provides advanced technology to help reduce stop-arm violations and improve student safety . The technology , installation , and maintenance are offered at zero cost to the district . Revenue generated from citations will be used to fund the installation and maintenance of the technology over a five-year term . The hardware and software suite includes stop-arm cameras , 4G LTE connectivity , DVR and storage devices , cloud-managed 360-degree safety cameras ( interior , windshield , rear-view , and sideload cameras ), and GPS and telemetry solutions .
12 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE . COM | AUGUST 2021