MENU
SEARCHAfter the explosions at last week's Boston Marathon, eight school bus drivers from AA Transportation stepped up to shuttle people away from the site. Company President Ron Ernenwein commends the drivers for their actions, noting that "not one person opted to go home, complained the assignment was too hard or took a break after the 18th hour of shuttling."
Pictured from left are AA Transportation drivers Hector Vazquez, Mike Ciesluk, Jose Blanco and Edward Bourgault; Julie D'Ambra, director of HR and safety; Ron Ernenwein, president and CEO; and drivers Blanca Lugo, Todd Williams, Robert Amadei and William Hogan.
BOSTON — School bus drivers here played a vital role in moving people away from the site of the marathon bombings last week.
Around 5 a.m. on Monday, April 15, drivers from AA Transportation Co. began their previously scheduled service of shuttling runners to the start of the Boston Marathon. They also transported injured runners from medical tents during the race.
After two bombs exploded near the finish line at 2:49 p.m., the eight AA Transportation drivers — Blanca Lugo, Hector Vazquez, Edward Bourgault, William Hogan, Jose Blanco, Todd Williams, Mike Ciesluk and Robert Amadei — stepped up and responded to the emergency.
AA Transportation President Ron Ernenwein said that although the company office had lost most communication with the drivers, they quickly began working with authorities to transport people away from the site.
"Not one person opted to go home, complained the assignment was too hard or took a break after the 18th hour of shuttling," Ernenwein wrote in a letter commending the drivers. "The area they were working in was complete mayhem, and with their professionalism, this group brought composure and calm for the folks that they transported."
Julie D'Ambra, AA Transportation's director of HR and safety, said that Williams was not far from the explosions as he was driving his bus to the medical tent on Boylston St.
The eight drivers evacuated runners and spectators away from the area, continuing their service into the evening.
"People were literally jumping out in front of their buses to get out of Boston," D'Ambra said. "Blanca even took some dogs on her bus to get them off the streets."
Authorities tapped into the school buses' GPS systems to divert the drivers around roadblocks and get them to those who were stranded.
"I am so impressed with [the drivers]," D'Ambra said. "There was not one who worried about themselves or how tired they were or that they hadn’t eaten or what they would be paid."
Another recent article on bus drivers assisting in emergencies:
The North Carolina-based Thomas dealership is recognized for the second time for its customer support, operational excellence, and industry commitment, as other top-performing dealers were celebrated.
Read More →
The agreement covers more than 22,000 school bus workers nationwide, delivering stronger retirement benefits, expanded leave protections, and new safeguards for onboard bus surveillance technology.
Read More →
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
See how Army veteran Tracy Voigt went from coordinating construction and logistics in Afghanistan to leading school transportation operations in Minnesota in this National Military Appreciation Month profile.
Read More →
Winners, photos, and highlights from the 2026 NYSBCA School Bus Driver Safety Competition, where drivers across the Empire State showcased safety skills and precision behind the wheel.
Read More →
Buried within a sweeping federal transportation bill are provisions that could affect school bus driver requirements, illegal passing enforcement, and even the future role of autonomous technology in pupil transportation.
Read More →
With nearly two decades at the helm of Pocono Transportation, Aaron Sepkowski has transformed a family-run operation into a modern, safety-focused contractor, while championing innovation, workforce development, and advocacy across Pennsylvania’s school transportation industry.
Read More →
From AI-powered safety platforms to electric fleet innovation, companies across the student transportation industry are earning national recognition for reshaping how students get to school safely and sustainably.
Read More →
See how Martin Staples applies decades of mission-focused leadership and operational experience to helping school districts keep students safe in this National Military Appreciation Month profile.
Read More →
Keith Corso and the BusRight team make it a goal to exceed expectations, always. Hear the secret sauce behind this 2026 Trailblazer in his own words in this podcast.
Read More →
