A few weeks ago I had the privilege of going with John Clements, director of transportation for Kings Canyon Unified School District, to make pictures of a very special school bus.  ZEV-9 is the first production-model all-electric school bus.  After picking up Kevin (pictured in front of the bus with Amber-Lynn) in Elk Grove, Calif., we had a little time time to give demo rides to a bunch of professional bus drivers and drivers in training.  I’m no school bus expert, but it was a delight to watch these people who ARE (enthusiasts, even?) take their first ride aboard the kid-transport of the future.  They were very impressed with the bus’s performance and handling, and most of them exited the bus with longing looks at the driver’s seat.

After showing off a bit, we headed over to Elk Grove High School where we made some pictures with Kevin and Amber-Lynn.  Kevin’s a very competent, compassionate guy, and Amber-Lynn had a lot of fun being a cover model for the day.  They both seem pretty sedate in the picture that was chosen for the cover of School Bus Fleet Magazine, but the image belies the fact that these are two very active, alive people.

ZEV-9 is also, as far ask I know, the only school bus that has its own baby book.  You see, John put together the manufacturers (Smith and Trans-Tech) who partnered to make this bus a reality.  So he has a book with construction pictures, details, and a growing photo library featuring the bus’s travels.

Right now ZEV-9 is on tour, strutting her stuff for lawmakers, transportation experts, and school officials around the country.  But when all the flash and glitz is past she looks forward to a nice, sedate life driving school kids between Reedley and Orange Cove.