With the industry still waiting to see a prototype of the announced, upcoming Starcraft-Hino Type C conventional, developments out of Tokyo this week sheds some light on the potential of alternative fuels for  school buses.

That's the question Type A conversion and cut-way bus customer can ask after a report last week indicated that GM's light-duty sales are taking a hit ever since the company left the medium-duty market last year.

Last month, the South Coast Air Quality Management District announced one of its largest CNG school bus awards to the tune of $25 million. In this economy, especially, it sounds like quite a windfall for school districts.