School bus idling creates serious health concerns for children and can lead to increased emissions and excessive petroleum consumption, which affect us all.
As a general rule, buses should be moving whenever the engine is on, and the engine should be turned off as soon as possible after arriving at loading or unloading areas. The school bus should not be restarted until it is ready to depart, and idling time should be limited during early morning warm-ups to what the manufacturer recommends (generally no more than five minutes).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the National Idle-Reduction Campaign, part of the Clean School Bus USA Program, to reduce school bus idling. This campaign:
Provides an opportunity for bus drivers, transportation managers, teachers, parents, and children to learn about air quality and diesel emissions.
Recognizes the positive contributions being made by school bus drivers.
Promotes idle reduction as an easy way to save money by saving fuel, reducing wear and tear on engines, protecting drivers' health and the health of children, and improving air quality.
The EPA Web site offers a collection of materials you can order to customize your own idle reduction program and has a School Bus Fuel and Cost Calculator.
Use the AFDC to learn more about using alternative fuels and advanced vehicle strategies for School Bus Applications.