There are 25 million reasons 

why it’s important to reduce idling. 

Take the pledge... 

the key to reducing idling is you. 
Do the Math... 

There are lots of reasons why it is important to reduce idling.


You can... 

1. Help improve the air quality in your community. 

2. Save money by not wasting fuel. 

3. Reduce wear-and-tear on your engine. 

4. Protect your own health and the health of countless 

children who will thank you! 

What Is the Link Between Diesel 

Exhaust and Your Health? 

The diesel exhaust from your school bus can be harmful for 

adults, but even more so for children. That is because kids are 

more susceptible to air pollution than healthy adults. Unlike 

adults, their respiratory systems are still developing, and they 

have a faster breathing rate. 

Diesel exhaust contains billions of small particles, known as 

fine particulate matter, among other pollutants. These particles 

are so small that several thousand of them could fit on the period 

at the end of this sentence. When kids breathe in school bus 

exhaust, these particles can cause lung damage and aggravate 

asthma, bronchitis, and related health problems. 

The exhaust from an idling school bus also pollutes the air in 

your community. It can even enter school buildings through fresh 

air intakes, doors, and open windows. Be an active part of your 

community—start reducing idling today! 
Turn the Key and 


Make a Difference


E

very day, 25 million children ride a 

school bus on their way to and from 

the classroom. Unfortunately, 

unnecessary school bus idling can pose a health risk to this 

precious cargo, generating air pollution that can aggravate 

children’s asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems. 

“We fully implemented our bus idling policy beginning with the 2004-05


school year. In 2004-05, although we drove 3,716 more miles than 2003­


04, we used 10,470 fewer gallons of diesel fuel. I believe that employees


are supporting the idling policy and that their continued attention to our


school bus idling guidelines should pay even greater dividends for our


students and the community in the future.”


— Bill McCoy, Director of Operations, CEH, Lincoln Public Schools, 

Lincoln, Nebraska 

As a school bus driver, you always put the safety and 

security of the kids on your bus first. Now you have another 

opportunity to protect their health, as well as your own. 

Just by turning off the 

school bus engine when 

you arrive at the loading 

and unloading area at 

schools, you can decrease 

the amount of diesel 

emissions to which 

children, as well as you, 

are exposed. By reducing 

the idling time of a school bus, you can help save fuel and 

money, reduce pollution, and, most importantly, protect 

children from harmful pollutants contained in diesel exhaust. 

The key to reducing idling is you! 

“I’m proud to have taken a pledge to reduce idling. I guess you could 

say we’re all breathing easier as a result.” 

— Hank Drumm, Sr., School Bus Driver, Longwood Combined School, 

Middle Island, New York 
What Can You Do? 

Here’s your homework assignment...


As always, be sure to follow all state and local regulations and policies. 

Turn off the engine as soon as possible after arriving 

at school loading or unloading areas. Only restart 

the bus when you are ready to depart. 

Limit your idling time during early morning warm-up 

to what the manufacturer recommends (generally 

no more than five minutes). 

Drive farther behind a vehicle with visible exhaust or 

a noticeable odor. 

You are not alone! 

Here’s what your school district can do 

to help... 

✓Use smart practices such as following proper maintenance 

procedures, encouraging drivers not to caravan too closely, 

and assigning the newest buses to the longest routes. 

✓Implement a reduced idling program for the school 

or school district. 

✓Take advantage of existing print materials to publicize 

the idling program or create new materials. Visit 

www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus for sample materials. 

✓Create a comfortable space inside each school building 

and/or bus depot where bus drivers can wait. 

✓Consider available options to help with cabin comfort, extreme 

weather, and equipment operation. 
Take the Pledge! 


It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3...
 Idle Reduction Pledge


Y

ou hold the key to a healthier ride! 

Show your commitment to 

reducing idling by completing 

the Idle Reduction Pledge. To take 

the pledge, simply complete and detach 

the form to the right. If you are taking the 

pledge as part of a group workshop or conference, 

please submit the form as directed by your coordinator. 

If you are completing this form as an individual, please 

fax it to 734-214-4869, attention Clean School Bus USA. 

I ________________________________ pledge to: 

1. Limit idling time in school bus loading and 

unloading areas. 

2. Turn the engine off in the school yard 

whenever possible. 

3. Learn more about implementing idle reduction 

programs and policies in my school district. 

Signed: ___________________________________ 

Date: _____________________________________ 

School District: _____________________________ 

City and State:______________________________ 
Myth: 

It is important to warm up the engine with a long idle period,


especially in cold weather.


Fact: 

With today’s school bus engines, bus and engine manufacturers 

routinely suggest a warm-up time of fewer than five minutes. In fact, 

idling causes significantly more wear on internal parts compared 

to driving at regular speeds. 

Get more information about the 


Clean School Bus USA program today!


S

imply visit our Web site at 

www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus 

to download idle reduction policies, 

tip sheets, and other ways to reduce emissions 

while the school bus is moving; e-mail us at 

cleanschoolbususa@epa.gov; or leave 

a voice message at 734-214-4780. 

Myth: 

The engine must be kept running in order to operate the school bus 

safety equipment, such as the flashing lights or stop signal arm. 

Fact: 

Safety equipment can be operated as needed without the engine 

running, with no ill effects on the electrical system of the bus. This 

does not apply, however, to school buses that use air-operated 

equipment such as doors, crossing control arms, and other features, 

where the air supply will not last as long. 

Clean School Bus USA is a public-private environmental partnership led by 

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that seeks to reduce children's 

exposure to air pollution from diesel school buses. The program emphasizes 

ways to reduce public school bus emissions through idle reduction strategies, 

engine retrofit, clean fuels, and bus replacement. 

April 2006 

Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil based inks on 100% postconsumer, process chlorine free recycled paper. EPA-420-F-06-018