The ASBMA (Arkansas School Bus Mechanics Association) was founded in the spring of 1949 from the vision of the then State Director of Transportation, J.L. Edison. Edison knew early on the school bus mechanics in Arkansas needed the training necessary to maintain a safe school bus fleet. With this goal in mind the Arkansas School Bus Mechanics Association was formed and has been a strong organization ever since. School bus mechanics and transportation officials from across the state attended the early conferences at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville to learn from factory trained instructors to enhance their knowledge and skills.

In the mid-1970’s with the growing number of members from Arkansas and the surrounding states, the association decided to move its conference to the Conway High School and Technical Center in Conway to gain more classroom and lab space. This move gave the mechanics more classrooms and lab space for hands-on classes but also offered the incorporation of a vendor trade show. This move provided more opportunities but still had limited capacity for hands-on classes.

With the growing need for more room and lab space the association decided to move to its
current location at the Saline County Career and Technical Center in Benton, AR. in the early 2020’s. This facility offers large lab areas for hands-on training with adjoining classrooms that facilitates the training process and still allows adequate room for a vendor trade show.

 

ASBMA conferences offer a multitude of classes that cover all aspects of the school bus
industry, and the association strives to have classes that are hands-on practical classes that are offered by factory or dealer trainers along with local and state instructors to fulfill the mechanic’s educational experience.

 

ASBMA’s conferences are held to the highest standard of safety as we transport the world’s most valuable cargo, our children and the association demands the training and information vital to our mission.

Our motto is "Moving forward with safety".