For Immediate Release
Grand Rapids, MI (October 22, 2013) - Blue Bird Corporation is proud to announce Blue Bird Connect™, powered by Synovia Solutions, simply the best GPS fleet management system in the business. Through an exclusive relationship with Synovia Solutions, you can now order your new Blue Bird school bus straight from the factory with Blue Bird Connect™. When you buy a Blue Bird bus, you have the option to activate, at no upfront cost, any or all components of Blue Bird Connect™, and enjoy the ease and peace of mind that comes with the backing of Synovia’s proven GPS fleet management system. This integrated solution has proven, time and time again, to reduce total cost of ownership. Your Blue Bird Dealer can up-fit your existing fleet of buses as well, regardless of brand. Watch your fleet save money and increase efficiency with this leading-edge GPS fleet management system.
If the customer is not ready to make a decision to order Blue Bird Connect™ as an option at the time of the bus purchase, Blue Bird will be pre-wiring all school buses to ease field installation at a later date. Offering Blue Bird Connect™ as an OEM option as well as pre-wiring buses for future installations are both industry-firsts from Blue Bird and reinforce the company’s commitment to innovation and technology. Debuted at the 2013 National Association for Pupil Transportation Conference (NAPT) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, theBlue Bird Connect™ system was showcased in the Blue Bird booth for trade show attendees to experience first-hand.
This GPS fleet management solution has proven, time and time again, to reduce the total cost of ownership. Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) in Indiana is one of the largest geographical school districts in the state of Indiana. Synovia Solutions has provided TSC with substantial annual savings. “We estimate a savings of around $10,000 to $15,000 each year just with our field and athletic trips alone,” said Kevin Neafie, transportation director.
This industry-leading GPS fleet management system offers core functionality including GPS capabilities, comparative analysis, student tracking, a parent portal, safety reporting as well as engine diagnostics and fuel economy tracking. Blue Bird Connect™ also includes unique features that are not available from the competition such as integrated driver time and attendance with plan vs. actual comparisons, dashboards of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), the ability to schedule the delivery of reports to management and the all-inclusive monthly fee per vehicle with no upfront costs.
“Blue Bird is pleased to offer this exciting school bus innovation that provides customers with the ability to maximize their fleet’s efficiency and deliver significant operational savings,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Innovation and safety are at the forefront of all initiatives at Blue Bird and with this core premise, we partnered with the best GPS fleet management provider in the business, Synovia Solutions. Blue Bird Connect™ allows districts and contractors to save thousands of dollars each year. It is truly a smart choice for efficiency and savings.”
“Synovia Solutions is excited about broadening our reach into the school market with an OEM solution, teaming with Blue Bird,” said Jon King, CEO of Synovia Solutions. “Their vision for providing value-add to their customers with an OEM GPS fleet management solution fits strategically with the Synovia Solutions strategy of reaching into the market directly and with partners who place the same value on quality, service, safety, and savings.”
For more information regarding Blue Bird Connect, visit your local Blue Bird Dealer or www.blue-bird.com.
About Blue Bird:
Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. For more than 85 years, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and parts and service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit the Blue Bird Corporation web site at www.blue-bird.com
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