Idle Free Schools

Sample Letter to Bus Drivers

Dear Bus Drivers at [Name of School],

Parents and guardians trust you to transport their most prized possessions to and from
school every day. Riding a bus is one of the safest forms of transportation available. As a
trusted member of the community, you have the ability to influence the behavior and health of
students and their parents.

Did you know?

•	24 million American children ride school buses daily.

•	On average, these students spend an hour and a half each day in a school bus.

•	School buses drive more than 4 billion miles each year.

Did you also know?

•	Idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus, and the exhaust can enter school
buildings through air intakes, doors, and open windows. Emissions from diesel exhaust can
lead to serious health conditions like asthma and allergies, and children are especially
vulnerable.

•	Idling buses waste fuel and money. School districts that eliminate unnecessary idling can
save significant dollars in fuel costs each year.

•	School bus engines don't need to idle more than a few minutes to warm up; extended idling
causes engine damage. Engine manufacturers recommend no more than three to five
minutes of idling.

Unnecessary idling pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear.

To reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created
by diesel school buses, we have instituted a vehicle idling policy at this school. Attached you
will find the new policy.

Included with this letter is a brochure about the Clean School Bus program, with a
pledge sheet on page 4. As part of our Idle Free Schools campaign, we are asking all parents,
teachers, staff, bus drivers and delivery truck drivers to pledge to not idle unnecessarily.

Thank you for your support!

Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free!

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