NNPS transportation employees celebrate launch of newest propane fueling station on Transportation Employee Appreciation Day
Posted: October 23, 2024
Newport News Public Schools transportation employees celebrated the launch of the school division's newest propane fueling station on Transportation Employee Appreciation Day, and as part of the commemoration of School Bus Safety Week, on October 23 at the Newsome Park Bus Lot.
Officials from NNPS and corporate partners gave remarks and joined Newport News School Board Chair Lisa Surles-Law, Vice Chair Dr. Terri Best, board members Maritsa Alger and Douglas Brown, and Special Assistant to Rep. Bobby Scott Cora Harris to cut the ribbon on the fueling station, followed by lunch. Phillips Energy, Inc.; Blue Bird Bus Sales of Virginia, Roush Clean Tech; and the Propane Education & Research Council supported the event.
The NNPS transportation team provides safe and efficient transportation to more than 19,000 students each school day. A statewide leader in innovative technology, NNPS powers most of its buses using propane, an initiative that reduces carbon emissions.
"This is one of the best teams in the country and I'm truly honored and humbled to serve alongside them," said NNPS Executive Director of Transportation Shay Coates. "Team, thank you for all that you do every day."
Coates recognized each of the dedicated groups that is vitally important to the many inter-connected components of student bus transportation: Bus drivers, bus assistants, dispatchers, office staff, area supervisors, master trainers, mechanics and the Edulog team that manages routing and scheduling information.
He described the steady buildup of the school division's propane bus fleet, which is the largest in Virginia. The new propane fueling station at Newsome Park is the second for NNPS, with a third in the works.
"In order for us to get to where we are, it takes not just team-work internal to NNPS, but also our vendors - our partners," Coates said. "We thank Phillips Energy and Blue Bird Bus Sales of Virginia for being valuable teammates."
NNPS Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell thanked the transportation team for its commitment to the safe transport of the school division's most precious commodity - its students.
"You're the first face that our students see from the school division every single day," Mitchell said. "You have a positive impact on their lives. Many of you are the first to greet them in the morning, setting the tone for their school day.
"Your extra care and effort contribute directly to their academic growth and success."
Greg McCalmon, corporate sales manager of Blue Bird Bus Sales of Virginia; John Phillips, president of Phillips Energy, Inc.; and Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, thanked the several hundred transportation professionals in attendance for their service to students and for their partnership in the transportation industry.
"I echo the comments this morning about having good partners and working together," Phillips said. "You all this whole summer were so polite and courteous and great to work with while we were putting this infrastructure in.
"And I see the dedication that you all put in each and every day transporting the precious cargo that you carry. And we're just delighted to be a part of it."
