Navistar plans for school bus of the future

OEM’s bus division seeks input from school kids, vehicle experts ahead of 2017 design conference.

Aug. 15, 2016

quotThis initiative reflects our commitment to lead innovate and revolutionize the bus industry as a leading manufacturer of school busesquot said Trish Reed vice president and general manager for IC Bus ldquoWe hear what people say they want safe renewable technology driven transportation solutions for their busesrdquo Photo by Sean KilcarrFleet Owner — "This initiative reflects our commitment to lead, innovate and revolutionize the bus industry as a leading manufacturer of school buses," said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager for IC Bus. “We hear what people say: they want safe, renewable, technology driven transportation solutions for their buses.” (*Photo by Sean Kilcarr/Fleet Owner*)

IC Bus, a division of truck maker Navistar, plans to launch a new “collaborative” design process dubbed “The Next Stop” next month that aims to anticipate school bus needs for the future.

The program includes an “imagination contest” for kindergarten through 8^th students that goes live September 15^th that will be married to input from “industry thought leaders and innovators” who will gather at a conference in early 2017 at Navistar’s headquarters in Lisle, IL.

"The Next Stop initiative facilitates dialog with all the stakeholders in pupil transportation -- parents, students, customers and transportation partners alike," noted Mark Johnson, vice president-marketing for Navistar, in a statement.

“We are committed to engaging these stakeholders through events, social media and other new marketing vehicles to collectively chart the path of the industry over the next decade,” he said.