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Bill would exempt Louisiana districts from fuel tax
February 11, 2013
Under the new legislation, fuel used for school buses operated by municipal and parish school boards would not be subject to the state fuel tax. Currently, contractor-operated school buses in Louisiana qualify for a refund of three-fourths of the fuel tax.
Road by hostage site expected to be named for Charles Poland
February 7, 2013
Under a resolution passed by the Alabama Legislature, a half-mile stretch of U.S. 231 in Dale County would be designated the "Charles 'Chuck' Albert Poland, Jr., Memorial Highway," after the school bus driver who was fatally shot in the line of duty.
Bill would require motorists to stop for buses on private roads
February 7, 2013
Current Arizona law requires motorists to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students on public highways. A bill under consideration in the state Legislature would amend the law for it to apply to private roads and driveways as well, but it would not apply to a bus that is stopped in a parking lot.
Bus drivers and the director of transportation from Florida’s Escambia County School District drove a bus to Alabama to attend the funeral of driver Charles Poland. Photo by Janine Walker
Florida district takes part in Alabama bus driver’s funeral
February 6, 2013
Nearly 30 school bus drivers and the director of transportation from Florida’s Escambia County School District drove to Ozark, Ala., on Sunday to attend the funeral of fellow driver Charles Poland, who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Here is an account of their moving experience.
EPA names winners of $2 million in school bus rebates
February 6, 2013
Agency officials call the response from school bus fleets “overwhelming” — there were more than 1,000 applications for rebates. The 30 randomly chosen recipients include school districts and contractors from various states.
FirstGroup America donates $112K to nonprofit
February 6, 2013
Officials for the parent company of pupil transportation provider First Student Inc. say that employees raised the money for Children's Miracle Network through direct-deposit donations, company contributions and employee fundraisers. In other news, First Student Charter Bus Rental provided shuttle service for the Super Bowl held in New Orleans last Sunday.
Hickory Springs names new chief financial officer
February 5, 2013
The company promotes Valerie Reid to the position, effective immediately, and she will report to President and CEO Dave Coburn. Reid joined Hickory Springs 14 years ago and most recently served as corporate assistant treasurer.
Tags: seating
Iowa bus inspection fee to increase, pending governor approval
February 5, 2013
The state Board of Education approves the proposal to increase the fee from $28 to $40, which will enable the state to hire an additional school bus inspector. As the change awaits approval from the office of the governor, state pupil transportation director Max Christensen tells SBF that “the increase is vitally important to keeping a viable school bus inspection process in the state of Iowa.”
FBI agents and Dale County deputies secure the residence where a 5-year-old child was rescued after being held hostage for almost a week. Photo from FBI
UPDATE: Boy held in bunker rescued, abductor dead
February 4, 2013
Ending a nearly weeklong standoff with a man accused of killing a school bus driver and abducting a 5-year-old passenger in Alabama, FBI agents enter the man's bunker and rescue the boy. Suspect Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, is killed during the operation.
Blue Bird welcomes Ala. dealer to network
February 4, 2013
Busworx Blue Bird has six factory-authorized locations throughout the state that will offer school bus and parts sales, along with service for customers. Officials say Yancey Bus Sales transferred its Alabama territory to Busworx Blue Bird to fully focus on growing its market share in Georgia.
MacAllister Transportation adds new account manager
February 4, 2013
Terry Mullins joins the Blue Bird school bus dealership with sales responsibility for the northern half of Indiana. He is a 30-year veteran of the Air Force and Indiana Air National Guard.
Labor board finds NYC bus driver strike legal
February 1, 2013
The now two-week-old strike by unionized school bus drivers in New York is found to not violate the National Labor Relations Act. The strike began on Jan. 16, with the union calling for the continuation of job protections that Mayor Michael Bloomberg contends "the city is not legally allowed to provide."
Letter: Reactions to the school bus shooting, abduction
February 1, 2013
After the Jan. 29 incident in Alabama in which a man boarded a school bus, fatally shot the driver and took a 5-year-old student hostage, a director of transportation in Arizona wrote this letter to his staff to address any concerns about their safety.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood spoke to students and answered a variety of questions from them at a Love the Bus event in Takoma Park, Md., in 2011.Photo courtesy U.S. DOT
LaHood to speak at 'Love the Bus' event
February 1, 2013
Outgoing U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood accepts an invitation to serve as the lead speaker at the American School Bus Council’s main “Love the Bus” event at an elementary school in Arlington, Va., on Feb. 12. It will mark the second time he has participated in a Love the Bus celebration — the first was in 2011 in Takoma Park, Md.
SBF’s 2013 Special-Needs Survey found that on average, nearly one quarter (23%) of the buses in respondents’ fleets are small buses (30 passengers or fewer). Photo courtesy of West County Transportation Agency
Preview of SBF's 2013 Special-Needs Survey
February 1, 2013
Respondents to this year’s survey report an increase in special-needs ridership — 8.7% compared to 6.9% in 2012. Other data cover items transported on buses to accommodate students’ needs and video surveillance cameras on special-needs buses.
7 more complete NAPT special-needs training program
February 1, 2013
Pupil transportation officials from operations in Colorado and South Carolina complete the association’s Special Needs Transportation Training program, which officials say is designed to increase an individual’s specific knowledge about transporting students with disabilities.
Tags: NAPT
Blue Bird, Redflex partner to curb stop-arm running
January 31, 2013
Under the agreement, officials say the Redflex Student Guardian stop-arm camera system is available from all Blue Bird dealers throughout North America. The Student Guardian system monitors and automatically detects drivers who illegally pass school buses while students are loading and unloading.
Alabama’s Transportation South to host ‘Love the Bus’ celebration
January 30, 2013
A celebration on Valentine’s Day at the school bus dealership will honor the state’s best school bus drivers, as voted by students, parents and teachers. Alabama state pupil transportation director Joe Lightsey will speak, and more than 150 school and community leaders from throughout the region are expected to attend.
Ga. bus driver honored for actions during accident
January 30, 2013
Officials say that Hall County Schools bus driver Bertha Hutson followed all safety procedures and kept her passengers under control despite sustaining a shoulder injury after her bus was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer in early January.
Tyler Technologies names senior VP for Versatrans line
January 30, 2013
The company appoints Ted Thien senior vice president and general manager of its Versatrans student transportation product line. Thien, who joined the company in 2007, replaces Versatrans President Jim Guzewich, who is retiring.

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