Articles/News - School Bus Regulations

Displaying 81  -  100  of  343
School Bus Safety Co. offers OSHA compliance program
September 8, 2011
The company's fourth instruction module, the OSHA Compliance Toolkit, is designed for both school bus technicians and drivers. It is intended to help managers achieve compliance quickly and easily, company officials say.
Bus drivers who use cell phones could lose licenses
September 6, 2011
Wisconsin school bus drivers who use cell phones while operating a bus with students on board could lose their licenses under a new measure proposed by state Rep. Samantha Kerkman. Drivers would be fined $200 for a first offense and $500 for a second.
NHTSA denies petition to require lap-shoulder belts on large buses
August 29, 2011
The agency says it is denying the petition because it has “not found a safety problem supporting a federal requirement for lap-shoulder belts on large school buses, which are already very safe.” The petition for rulemaking came from the Center for Auto Safety and 21 other groups.
Calif. frees up funds for bus emission retrofits
August 18, 2011
Gov. Jerry Brown recently signs into law legislation that will allow air quality management districts to put $2 from motor vehicle registration fees toward emission-control devices for existing school buses. Mike Rea of the California Association of School Transportation Officials tells SBF that based on his understanding of the bill, it will be effective, and that the next step will be for local air districts to adopt a funding program for using the money.
Legal Routes lowers fee, offers free issue
August 16, 2011
In celebration of its upcoming 10th anniversary, the pupil transportation law publication rolls back its subscription fees and gives away a free eight-page premium edition to new and renewing subscribers.
N.Y. toughens restrictions on bus driver applicants
August 16, 2011
The legislation, signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday, adds to the list of convictions that would either permanently disqualify a school bus driver applicant or disqualify the candidate for five years. Crimes for which a conviction would ban a person from becoming a bus driver include aggravated manslaughter in the first or second degree and sexual abuse in the first degree.
Feds: Truck, bus standards to save $50 billion in fuel costs
August 9, 2011
The Obama administration says that under its new standards for fuel efficiency and pollution, trucks and buses built in 2014 through 2018 will reduce oil consumption by a projected 530 million barrels and greenhouse gas by about 270 million metric tons.
Healthcare Reform’s Material Impact on the Industry
July 21, 2011

Officials at brokerage firm William Gallagher Associates outline components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the penalties employers such as school bus contractors will have to pay for noncompliance.

NHTSA assessing pedestrian safety around hybrid vehicles
July 19, 2011
Possible rulemakings include requiring electric and hybrid vehicle makers to add sounds that alert the visually impaired and other pedestrians when these vehicles are operating at low speeds. A NHTSA spokesperson confirms that school buses would be included.

Last transportation payment saved for Illinois districts
July 7, 2011
The state’s 2011 fourth quarter transportation payment had been targeted to be cut. But while that reimbursement has been restored, a new challenge surfaces: Gov. Pat Quinn has cut from his budget about $89 million for transportation for the next school year.
Illinois bus drivers get more flexibility for refresher
June 30, 2011
Under a new state rule change, school bus drivers can take their annual refresher class up to 60 days before their refresher date without changing that date. State director Cinda Meneghetti tells SBF that with fewer classes being offered due to budget cuts, the new flexibility is key.
Teen fatally struck by tractor-trailer
June 29, 2011
The accident occurs when Aniya Williams is trying to catch a city bus in Staten Island, N.Y. Williams used to ride a school bus, but service to her school was eliminated. Last week, the state Senate passed a bill to mandate that the city Department of Education provide school bus transportation to children in grades three through eight who live more than one mile from school.
Bill would change school bus seat requirement for N.Y. districts
June 22, 2011
The School Bus Mandate Relief Act would allow boards of education for school districts to reduce the number of seats provided for student transportation if there is a documented history for three years showing that eligible pupils are not using the buses provided by the districts. The legislation was passed by the state Senate last week.
School bus safety zone legislation signed into law
June 20, 2011
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder approves a bill that doubles fines for moving violations committed in a school bus safety zone and makes killing a child getting off a school bus a 15-year felony. A second bill approved by Snyder adds the new felony offense to the state's sentencing guidelines.
New laws target safety at school, on the bus
June 17, 2011
Several of the changes brought about by bills signed into law in Virginia focus on pupil transportation. They include restricting sex offenders' access to school buses and allowing video cameras on buses to record illegal passing.
Lawmakers maintain funding for transportation coordinators, bus replacements
June 1, 2011
The news comes with the Washington Legislature's release of its proposed 2011-13 biennial operating budget, much to the delight of the Washington Association for Pupil Transportation. The group had voiced concerns about potential changes to these issues, and President Tom Culliton tells SBF that members are “very excited” about the latest developments.
New York association supports illegal bus passing bill
May 25, 2011
The legislation would allow for prosecution of such violations based on photographic evidence as well as allow for citations to be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, regardless of who was driving it at the time. NYAPT President David Christopher points out that motorists in the state illegally pass school buses "some 50,000 times each day."
Association speaks out against ads on school buses
May 19, 2011
In a letter to state legislators, the New York Association for Pupil Transportation calls for the defeat of bills that would allow advertisements to be placed on yellow school buses. Executive Director Peter Mannella says that compromising the iconic color of school buses with ads “presents safety risks to our children.”
Bullying and Harassment: Thin Line and Thin Ice
May 5, 2011

An expert on legal issues in school transportation discusses the distinction between bullying and harassment and offers best practices for dealing with both on the bus.

Bill would increase regulations for taxi drivers hired by districts
April 28, 2011
The Illinois legislation would require taxi drivers under contract to transport students to undergo background checks. In addition, regular vehicle safety checks would be required.

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