<I>SBF</i> awarded for feature on van, cab use

TORRANCE, Calif. — SCHOOL BUS FLEET’s 2013 feature article on the use of alternative vehicles in pupil transportation won a top editorial honor from Bobit Business Media.

The company, which publishes SBF and about 20 other magazines, holds an annual in-house awards program called the Eddy Awards. The program is judged by editorial experts outside of the company.

At this year’s Eddys, held in late June, SBF Executive Editor Thomas McMahon’s article “Vans, Cabs and Beyond: Gauging the Safety of School Bus Alternatives” won the award for Best Feature.

The six-page article examines the use of non-school bus vehicles to transport students. In some situations, the practice allows school districts to increase efficiency and cut costs, but many in the school bus industry have raised concerns about safety and driver qualifications in the use of these alternative vehicles.

McMahon said that he sought to present a balanced look at this polarizing issue — with comments from about a dozen sources — and to clearly document applicable regulations and guidance.

The article appeared in the November 2013 issue of SBF and can be viewed online here.