Grant Winners to Receive up to $50,000 for Technology Hardware to Enhance School Bus Transportation Safety, Security, and Efficiency
Bonita Springs, FL – January 25, 2016 – Zonar, a leading transportation technology company, and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) announced today the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant recipients for bus contractors. The two new recipients, Sunrise Transportation and Minnesota Coaches, will receive up to $50,000 each for the latest bus safety, security and efficiency technology hardware.
Zonar is providing Sunrise Transportation and Minnesota Coaches with fleet management technology solutions that include real-time tracking and monitoring. The solutions verify that maintenance and inspections are up-to-date and remotely detect and flag mechanical issues. These capabilities significantly reduce performance problems and help eliminate breakdowns. Additionally, Zonar technology can monitor excessive idling and operating speeds to improve fleet efficiency.
“We are excited to continue to partner with Zonar on this grant opportunity,” said Todd Monteferrario, NSTA President. “The grant better affords our member contractors access to valuable tools to improve operations and keep them at the forefront of the industry’s best practices.”
Grant recipients will be awarded fleet management technology from Zonar including the Zonar 2010 handheld or 2020 tablet which includes Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting (EVIR), Global Position System (GPS) V3, Real Time Engine Diagnostic Reporting, Student Tracking (Z Pass), and Ground Traffic Control (GTC) web-based software.
“We are thrilled to provide Sunrise Transportation and Minnesota Coaches with technology solutions to help increase the safety of their vehicles and provide real-time information fleet management, driver operating behavior and student ridership,” said H. Kevin Mest, senior vice president of business development, Zonar Systems. “I look forward to working with them and sharing their success stories.”
The award, previously known as the Zonar/NSTA Grant, has been renamed the “Don Carnahan Memorial Grant” in recognition of Don’s lifelong contributions to the student transportation industry. Don Carnahan dedicated 45 years to the education and pupil transportation industry including school district administration, Department of Education Administration and private sector employment partnering with education institutions. Don joined Zonar in 2003 served 11 years as a company leader. He was also a two-term President of the National Association of Pupil Transportation.
Recipients of the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant are NSTA members and were selected based on their proposed plans with expected ROI for using Zonar’s Fleet Management Solutions. To be considered as a future Don Carnahan Memorial Grant recipient, a bus contractor must be a current NSTA member or have membership pending at the time the application is submitted. Contractors currently using alternate technology that want to upgrade to Zonar are also encouraged to apply. Applications that include matching funds will be given additional consideration. For more information visit: http://www.yellowbuses.org/awards-and-grants/grants/zonar-grant/
About NSTA
NSTA is the leading advocate for the private school bus industry in the United States and Canada. The association engages with policy makers, regulators and school transportation officials making school bus operations safe, affordable and efficient. Offices are at 122 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: 703-684-3200. Fax: 703-684-3212.Visit us at www.yellowbuses.org.
About Zonar
Founded 15 years ago, Zonar has pioneered smart fleet management technology by providing innovative technology that has changed fleet operations in the vocational, pupil, transit and commercial trucking industries. With a unique focus on this field, the Company offers a complete suite of solutions and specialized platforms for our customers in multiple markets. Our patented, award-winning technology keeps fleet owners and managers connected to their fleets and drivers to dispatchers. Headquartered in Seattle, Zonar also has a Technology Development Center in downtown Seattle, an office in Cincinnati, and a distribution center outside of Atlanta. For more information about Zonar Systems, go to www.zonarsystems.com