School bus company fined for idling in Conn., RI

DANBURY, Conn. (AP) — Federal environmental officials have fined a New Jersey company that operates school buses in Connecticut and Rhode Island for excessive diesel idling.

The buses, which are operated by Ocean State Transit and STA of Connecticut, were observed last fall idling for excessive periods in the Connecticut towns of Greenwich, Danbury, Naugatuck, Higganum and Groton and East Greenwich and South Kingstown, R.I.

Idling in Connecticut is limited to three minutes and five minutes in Rhode Island. The companies will pay a $35,000 penalty and perform environmental projects valued at $131,000.

The Hearst Connecticut Media Group reports that a spokeswoman for Wall, N.J.-based Student Transportation of America, which owns both bus companies, said the company has worked with the EPA and developed a program to promote awareness and educate its drivers about idling.