TAPT is proud of the partnerships formed between the organization, school district members, and vendor members. We present the Business Associate Spotlight to share information about our Business Associate Members and the products or services their companies offer.
Are you a TAPT Business Associate Member wanting to be included in the TAPT Business Associate Spotlight? Submit your company information HERE.
SafeGuard
Matt Chaplin
mchaplin@imminet.com
(317) 867-8458
SafeGuard is a leading provider of school bus seating, child restraint systems, and occupant protection solutions designed to help safely transport students every day. For more than two decades, SafeGuard has focused exclusively on advancing school bus safety through innovative engineering, rigorous testing, and practical solutions that meet or exceed federal and state requirements. Our portfolio includes lap-shoulder belt seating systems, integrated child seats, portable child safety restraint systems, and special-needs transportation products that serve school districts, contractors, and bus manufacturers. SafeGuard products are trusted by transportation professionals for their durability, flexibility, and commitment to protecting the most precious cargo, children. As part of IMMI, a global leader in occupant protection systems, SafeGuard continues to drive innovation that enhances student safety, improves rider behavior, and supports safer journeys to and from school.
HopSkipDrive
John Ramirez
jramirez@hopskipdrive.com
(214) 949-3833
Supplement your bus fleet with flexible, personalized rides. Optimize your entire transportation system with AI-powered routing. HopSkipDrive offers comprehensive solutions to meet your school's unique needs. Now also offering Rider Assistant and Wheelchair Assisted Vehicle rides in DFW, Houston, Midland, Austin and San Antonio areas!
Highland Electric Fleets
Dan Rosenfield
dan.rosenfield@highlandfleets.com
(214) 991-4582
Is your district looking to free up capital while improving your EV bus fleet reliability?
Highland Electric Fleets’ Aftermarket Buyout & Service Program provides immediate liquidity for your district and an ongoing guarantee that your EV buses will run smoothly.
Program Includes:
1) Bus Buy Out & Lease - Immediate cash flow that can be allocated to other district expenses or future fleet electrification2) Turnkey, All-Inclusive Service Plan - Fixed annual fee includes operational costs and full bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage - using your existing buses3) Maintenance & Performance Guarantees - With Highland assuming and managing performance risks
DATCS - Drug and Alcohol Testing Compliance Service
Doug Lemay
doug.lemay@datcs.com
(903) 234-1136
DATCS is a woman-owned, Texas based company providing drug & alcohol testing, background screening, and related services to help safety-conscious businesses and schools design and run effective, accurate testing programs.
We provide nation-wide DOT compliance programs, drug policies, and a full range of drug tests on and off site. DATCS is partnered with many schools from Oklahoma to East Texas and Shreveport, LA to create a safer and healthier environment for families.
DATCS is proud to be an approved vendor of Region-7 Education Service Center and we partner with over 100 schools to help create a safer and healthier environment. Drug testing students provides a deterrent to prevent the use of drugs and alcohol; studies suggest that if a young person can reach the age of 21 without using illicit drugs, they are unlikely ever to do so and that is our goal.
DATCS provides DOT compliance programs, drug policies, and a full range of drug tests on and off site. DATCS offers our services to schools for discounted rates. Our company can also save your school money when DATCS combines your bus driver testing with your student and/or teacher testing.
Our team is trained in providing unmatched, around-the-clock customer support, education, and advisory services to keep our clients in compliance with their drug and alcohol testing policy.
Fleetsoft - Fleet Maintenance Software
Kurt Claussner
salesteam@fleetsoft.com
(800) 980-2555
Fleet maintenance and inventory management software makes keeping track of your fleet’s maintenance easy and efficient. It keeps track of work orders, PM schedules, parts usage, inventory management, warranty claims, core tracking, fuel tracking, and more. Fleetsoft also integrates with third-party GPS providers to keep odometer and hour meters current. In addition, it brings in inspection and fault code data automatically. It is a complete fleet maintenance software solution for your business.
Jasper Engines and Transmissions
Dave Bechard
dave.bechard@jasperengines.com
(678) 704-3125
Jasper Engines and Transmissions, a 100% Associate Owned company, was founded in 1942 and is the nation’s leading remanufacturer of a diverse line of powertrain components.
The Jasper, Indiana, based company remanufactures gas and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, diesel air and fuel components, sterndrives, and outboard lower units. The company has five production facilities, two distribution centers, and 51 nationwide branch locations, allowing them to deliver products quickly and efficiently.
Jasper Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Jasper Electric Motors, Jasper Innovative Solutions, Weller Truck Parts, Diesel USA Group, D&W Diesel, and in 2022 they acquired Jer-Den Plastics, further diversifying their brands.
Progressive programs of research and new product development enable them to provide quality, value-oriented products second to none. JASPER® operates on a philosophy of continuous improvement in safety, quality, productivity, customer service, and the reduction of waste. JASPER’s mission statement is simple: “Do It Right… And Have Fun!”
First Light Safety Products
Stephen Climer
stephenclimer@firstlightsafety.com
(469) 810-7679
First
Light's Illuminated School Bus Solutions significantly improves the awareness
and visibility of the school bus by using ultra-bright illumination to
distinguish the school bus from other vehicles on the road. The Illuminated
School Bus Sign and Fully Illuminated Stop-Arm use best-in-class components to
provide confidence and continuous performance in a sleek design that is
brighter and easier to read than traditional solutions.
STSB Training
Jill Metcalfe
stsbtraining@gmail.com
(281) 813-2231
STSB
Training will provide time saving, turn-key solutions to busy education
professionals and parents. Entertainment is one of the most effective ways of
delivering content, so expect fun, amusing methods of delivery.
Our Sandy the Safety Bee Series is perfect for pre-k through third grade.
"Jonah Learns About Bus Safety" is available as a stand alone book,
or we can build a custom package with Safe Bus Rider Certificates, reflective
wristbands, plush Jonahs, and other incentives.
"Jonah Wears a Mask" is also available as a supplemental booklet with
the more great quality and content.
Master's Transportation
Mark Ondich
mondich@masterstransportation.com
(817) 773-0423
Purchasing Cooperative: TASB BuyBoard
HGAC Buy; TIPS; ESC 10;
GoodbuyMaster's
Transportation is the authorized Collins Bus dealer in Texas, with all buses
built to Texas specifications. We are also an authorized dealer for Grech
Motors and Executive Coach buses and can provide your school with gently used
coach activity buses. Master's also has a large fleet of new buses and
gently-used low-mileage buses for sale, lease, or rent.
We
are the sole owner of our used buses and rental fleet, with a complete and
thorough maintenance history under our exclusive control.
We
provide schools throughout Texas with the Collins 9-passenger MPV and also the
popular Type A school and activity buses for 14–30 passengers. Our rental fleet
can provide transportation for your school activities, with buses that carry
15–52 passengers for short-term or long-term rentals.
For
more information, call us at 817-773-0423, email mondich@masterstransportation.com, or visit our website at masterstransportation.com.
Cummins, Inc.
Ogbugo Ananaba
ogbugo.ananaba@cummins.com
(214) 662-6857
Our
Valued Customers,
Cummins brings over 100 years of experience in the automotive industry with 30
years of experience in powering school buses leading to the acknowledgement of
Cummins as the best-in-class engine solution regardless of fuel choice by
industry experts. Whether you choose a B6.7TM or L9TM
diesel or a Cummins Westport B6.7NTM or L9NTM natural gas
engine, you are making the smart choice as our products are backed by the
largest and most capable parts, service, and support network in North America,
with over 3,500 locations to help keep you up and running.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, Cummins is committed to keeping
you updated on continued steps we are taking to help power your business needs
during this uncertain time. Cummins is proud to offer our school bus customers
FREE SCHOOL BUS HEALTH CHECKS through our local Cummins Sales and Service
branches to ensure your fleet is always on.
We remain committed to delivering on our commitments to customers to the best
of our ability and assure you that our focus is to deliver a partnership that
you can depend on, while making decisions and implementing preventive measures
to ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Ogbugo Ananaba
Account Executive
Cummins Sales and Service – Southern USA
Account Executive
Cummins Sales and Service – Southern USA
Tyler Technologies
Weston Bartlett
weston.bartlett@tylertech.com
(518) 533-1854
Tyler
Technologies solutions connect every aspect of transportation management,
helping districts advance their operations and make student-first decisions.
Our routing software, GPS and tablet hardware, and parent app solutions work
together to create a complete ecosystem of student tracking with safety and
transparency at its core. Learn more at TylerTech.com.
Transfinder
Bob Stone
marketing@transfinder.com
(800) 373-3609
Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS is Faster, Safer and Smarter than any other Routing Solution in the Industry Today!
School districts across North America are changing how they do business by scrutinizing the software they use AND the efficiency, accuracy and safety of their routes. Here’s the question you need to ask yourself:
What routing problems are you trying to solve?
Routefinder PLUS allows you and your team to work remotely. With Transfinder’s new web-based Routefinder PLUS solution, you will be:
Faster, Safer and Smarter…
- Optimize Selected Trips – Have Routefinder PLUS reroute all selected trips. Optimization can help solve the driver shortage that you may be facing. Optimize routes to help with your driver shortage and increase efficiencies without sacrificing safety. Transfinder has moved past Optimization and have created “Smart Optimization”.
- Trip Absorption – Select a trip to be absorbed by other trips.
- Sequence Optimization – Have Routefinder PLUS create the best Sequence to optimize for time or distance.
- Full Calendar Based Routing – Not just Monday-Friday, but any date.
- Autonomous – Remove tedious work from your life without sacrificing the institutional knowledge of your team
AMF-Bruns of America
Maritza Valentin
M.Valentin@amfbrunsamerica.com
(267) 614-5701
AMF-Bruns
of America manufactures wheelchair and occupant securements for the safe
transportation of special-needs persons. We supply the world with safety!
Today, we service customers in more than 50 countries. We’ve been in business
since 1958 and have successfully worked with regulatory authorities to help the
transportation industry.
AMF-Bruns revolutionized the wheelchair securement industry when we invented the world’s first four-point retractor wheelchair anchoring system. This encouraged the industry to transition from a manual wheelchair & occupant belt securement to a retractor wheelchair securement system. Our Protektor Series, wheelchair & occupant securement system, provides stabilization for passengers and their wheelchairs in the event of a collision. Also, to assist the WC18 requirements and WC19 wheelchairs coming on board, we offer a budget solution, WC 18 Platinum Storage Package.
Safety & training is key in all AMF-Bruns products and system innovations. AMF-Bruns extends appreciation to school bus Special Needs Drivers for their service always.
• National School Bus Driver Year Award – An award for special needs School Bus Driver who has distinguished themselves through accomplishments, heroic acts, and innovations to improve their jobs. https://www.amfbrunsamerica.com/awards.php
• Wheelchair and Occupant Securement FREE Training – Our training is always FREE http://amfbrunsamerica.com/learn/
Our School Bus Sales Team is expanding! Maritiza Valentin has recently joined our growing team. Steve Barker and Maritza Valentin will continue to focus on the industry and offer exceptional service and solutions for the market.
AMF-Bruns revolutionized the wheelchair securement industry when we invented the world’s first four-point retractor wheelchair anchoring system. This encouraged the industry to transition from a manual wheelchair & occupant belt securement to a retractor wheelchair securement system. Our Protektor Series, wheelchair & occupant securement system, provides stabilization for passengers and their wheelchairs in the event of a collision. Also, to assist the WC18 requirements and WC19 wheelchairs coming on board, we offer a budget solution, WC 18 Platinum Storage Package.
Safety & training is key in all AMF-Bruns products and system innovations. AMF-Bruns extends appreciation to school bus Special Needs Drivers for their service always.
• National School Bus Driver Year Award – An award for special needs School Bus Driver who has distinguished themselves through accomplishments, heroic acts, and innovations to improve their jobs. https://www.amfbrunsamerica.com/awards.php
• Wheelchair and Occupant Securement FREE Training – Our training is always FREE http://amfbrunsamerica.com/learn/
Our School Bus Sales Team is expanding! Maritiza Valentin has recently joined our growing team. Steve Barker and Maritza Valentin will continue to focus on the industry and offer exceptional service and solutions for the market.
Q'Straint
Trisha Nolen
tnolen@qstraint.com
(954) 732-8268
Q’STRAINT/ Sure-Lok have innovated many industry standards, from complete series floor anchorage tracks to automatic retractors. The QRT-360 and Titan800 4-point, heavy duty, fully automatic retractable tie-downs are built to withstand the higher loads of WC18 standard and be compatible with WC19 wheelchairs. Both retractors utilize innovative energy management designs and material technologies to deliver the systems full strength for maximum load capacity.
For over 35 years, Q’STRAINT/Sure-Lok have been the industry leaders focused on developing the most innovative solutions to advance the safety and effectiveness of wheelchair passenger travel. The diverse global staff serves customers in more than 70 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
It all started in the 1970s when a team of students and specialists at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada set out to find the answer.
Their research demonstrated that wheelchair passengers have unique safety needs requiring unique safety solutions, which, at the time, did not exist. So, the research team developed the world’s first fully integrated 4-point wheelchair passenger securement system. Q’STRAINT was the first to introduce this innovative system to the global transportation industry.
Today, Q’STRAINT/Sure-Lok continues to build on this tradition of innovation, advancing its mission of providing safe accessibility to everyone by developing the world’s highest quality, wheelchair passenger safety solutions.
We believe all mobility passengers deserve access to the same level of safety as those around them. Through research and development, engineering and support, to providing innovative solutions, we are Making Safety Accessible.
Propane Council of Texas
Jackie Mason
info@propanecounciloftexas.org
(800) 325-7427
The
Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to
educating and promotion propane and its newest advances in the Lone Star State,
including low emission propane school buses, vehicles, and off-road equipment
like greener commercial mowers.
There
are numerous funding opportunities to switch to cleaner-burning propane school
buses and white fleet throughout the year. School districts can reach out to
the Council for help with matching the school district with the right propane
school bus funding that is right for them, funding eligibility, meeting
qualifications, and writing the grant for the district at (no cost).
The Council is also a
resource for those that are interested in learning more about propane autogas.
Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
Adrian Gold
agold@gatekeeper-systems.com
(888) 666-4833
Gatekeeper
is a leading provider of intelligent video solutions designed to provide a
safer transportation environment for children, passengers, and public safety
personnel on multiple transportation modes. The Company uses AI, video
analytics and mobile data collectors to inter-connect public transit assets as
part of intelligent transportation systems for Smart City initiatives. The
Company’s Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) business model is designed to connect
moving vehicles in the era of Internet of Things (IOT).
Bergstrom, Inc.
Drew Goaley
dgoaley@bergstrominc.com
(815) 979-4574
Bergstrom
is the designer and manufacturer of the Cool Zone™ system, a series of school
bus systems which provide quality, reliability and performance to school bus
fleets. The system consists of front and rear bulkhead units, a midship unit
with two three-fan condensers and two compressors. Cool Zone is so effective
that it cools the bus down five minutes faster than what’s required by Florida
specs.
At
Bergstrom, we began producing heaters for Carpenter & Thomas school buses
in 1952. Now, we’re using our industry expertise to engineer OEM-quality air
conditioning systems for the school bus market that will keep students
comfortable and happy. Each school bus air conditioning system is customizable
and can consist of any combination of bus HVAC systems.
Bergstrom
can provide installations at our factory-owned facilities as well as a number
of qualified independent installation centers. The new Cool Zone systems are
designed with easy maintenance in mind including easily accessible filters for
cleaning or replacing, easy access to the skirt condenser for cleaning the
coils and our receiver driers come equipped with a site glass to ensure there
is no moisture in the AC system. Cooling and heating capability in the dash
unit maximize occupant comfort in both hot and cold climates.
Bergstrom has recently
appointed Delbert P. Walton to serve as the new Field Service Technician for
the state of Texas. As part of his new role, Walton will provide expert help
for a wide range of field service in Texas. Walton will supply onsite support,
service, and training for bus installations, service and maintenance. His
expertise will help Bergstrom’s customers in Texas – a state with great need
for AC systems in buses. With his help, the Bergstrom team will continue to
focus on the bus industry including pre-existing and potential customers.
Are you a TAPT Business Associate Member wanting to be included in the TAPT Business Associate Spotlight? Submit your company information HERE.