SOMERVILLE, N.J. — Two New Jersey school bus associations have merged to create a new association.  

The merger between the New Jersey School Bus Owners Association and the Garden State School Bus Contractors Association took effect last June. The new organization is called the New Jersey School Bus Contractors Association.

The association held its first general membership meeting in September.

Officials said the merger represents "a pooling of the expertise of two longtime school bus industry organizations, in order to better coordinate efforts as they relate to pupil transportation matters within New Jersey."   

The New Jersey School Bus Contractors Association brings together more than 30 contractors and close to 10,000 of the 17,000 privately owned school buses in the state, representing small, medium and large contractors.

Officials said the members also represent many multi-generational school bus contractors, all of whom have dedicated their lives to the focus of school bus safety and transportation.

The New Jersey School Bus Contractors Association's address is PO Box 304, Somerville, NJ 08876. Its website is www.njschoolbus.com.