College Point, N.Y. (Jan. 25, 2011) – Vallo Transportation Ltd., an independent school bus company serving families throughout Queens, N.Y., today announced that it has applied for a federal grant that will let the company buy seven new buses with advanced low-emissions technology.
“Engine manufacturers and oil refiners have made tremendous progress creating equipment and fuel that cause much lower emissions than in the past,” said company President Linda DeSabato.
“The new equipment is very expensive, though, which is why we haven’t been able to introduce it to our fleet as quickly as we would have liked,” said DeSabato, whose family-owned company has served Queens schoolchildren for about 30 years. “The federal grant we hope to receive will make the new buses affordable and let us bring additional low-emissions buses to Queens and the Bronx. This will benefit the children who ride our buses and the entire community.”
The grant, if approved, will be used to help Vallo purchase seven 2012 International school buses equipped with Maxx Force DT 466 engines. The engines comply with latest federal emission standards. They will replace buses that date back to 1997 and 1998. The total cost of these buses is $904,825; of which 25 percent would be funded by the grant.
In a further ecological benefit, the new buses will be equipped with interior heaters independent from the main engine, which will minimize unnecessary idling time during the winter.
“Every little bit helps when it comes to protecting the environment,” DeSabato said. “Diesel technology is constantly evolving, and we’re committed to keeping pace. It’s good for our community.”
The grants are available under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, a federal program intended to reduce air pollution. A decision is expected to be announced in the spring.
Vallo operates a fleet of more than 50 buses that carry children living in Queens to private schools and magnet schools in Manhattan and the Bronx, such as the Bronx High School of Science and the High School of American Studies at Lehman College, two of the nation’s most respected schools. Summer service is available for most routes. Charter service is offered for field trips, community organizations and other events.
About Vallo Transportation Ltd.
Vallo Transportation provides school bus service for hundreds of children in Queens, N.Y., through a fleet of more than 50 buses. The company, which specializes in service to the Bronx High School of Science, also provides charter service for field trips, community groups, sporting and special events. Vallo has an outstanding safety record, on-time performance of nearly 98 percent, superior maintenance and training programs and history of community involvement. This outstanding reputation earned Vallo the New York State Bus Contractors Association’s Contractor of the Year Award in 2010. Vallo traces its origins back more than 50 years to the hard work and dedication of Eddie and Tony Vallone, the founders of Parkway Bus Service, which provided transportation services to New York City school children. Parkway merged with two other companies, Columbia Bus Service and Syken Coach Services, to form Pioneer Bus Corporation in 1954. Pioneer grew to provide commuter bus services, in addition to its core school bus service. By the 1970s, Pioneer was one of the largest privately held bus companies in New York. Ed Vallone’s children, Linda, Phil, and Ed junior, continue the tradition of excellent service for a new generation of passengers. More information about Vallo Transportation Ltd. and its services is available at vallotransportation.com or by calling (718) 961-7600.
