What's Under the Hood Matters
The safe transportation of our passengers depends not only on our experienced maintenance technicians and bus drivers – but on the reliability of the vehicles we operate. Onboard vehicle technology, safety and compliance systems, routing and scheduling programs, and fleet maintenance software are all innovations that we invest in heavily to ensure we are providing the safest service possible when transporting students and other passengers.
Daily Vehicle Inspections
Our mechanics are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), making them very skilled and among the best. They follow a 90-day/3,000-mile preventive maintenance program that exceeds standards established by the State of Connecticut. The program requires inspecting and recording more than 140 elements on each vehicle.
Our drivers also participate in All Star’s vehicle safety program by performing and recording comprehensive 51-point pre- and post-trip daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) on each school bus they operate.
Preventive Maintenance Program
Every vehicle in our fleet goes through a meticulous preventive inspection process. Our rigorous standards are monitored in a customized fleet management software that allows our technicians to schedule maintenance, record work performed, and report on the details of each vehicle in our fleet in real time.
Utilizing laptop computers allows our Maintenance Team to quickly and efficiently diagnose our vehicles in the shop, and on the road, with service vehicles equipped to handle nearly any mechanical issue roadside. Our three full-service shops feature up to 10 service bays, three wash bays, and hydraulic lifts to raise vehicles for thorough maintenance inspection, and use waste oil furnaces to support our commitment to a clean environment.
Promoting Excellence with ASE Master Certification
The non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.
Today, thousands of professionals hold ASE certifications and work in every part of the automotive service industry. To earn ASE school bus certification, mechanics must pass the ASE School Bus Test.
All-Star Transportation mechanics work hard to earn Master School Bus Technician honors, which include certification in:
- Body systems and special equipment
- Diesel engines
- Drive train
- Brakes
- Suspension and steering
- Electrical/electronic systems
Onboard Vehicle Technology
The impact of technology is far reaching. It reverberates across all aspects of our business to enhance services, improve operations, and lower costs. From the innovative safety and communications equipment on our buses to cutting-edge routing systems and sophisticated cloud IT services that keep our employees connected, All-Star Transportation remains ahead of the curve in technology and fleet innovation.
GPS Tracking Systems: Equipping vehicles with GPS not only provides the capability to locate a bus on its route at any time, but also improves routing and determining important factors such as speed, idling, and fuel usage.
Front Crossing Gates: This important piece of safety equipment not only helps student cross in front of the bus at a safe distance, but also serves as an alert to surrounding vehicles that they are required to stop, allowing for the safe passage of students loading and unloading the school bus.
Digital Camera Security Systems: An important safety tool that helps manage driver accountability as well as to assist in the safe management of passenger activity and behavior.
Child Check-Mate Systems: It is the driver’s responsibility to check for students who may be left on the school bus at the end of their routes. This system is an additional aid to the driver by providing audible and visual alerts when the bus ignition is turned off at the end of any route or student activity trip.
