School bus security added to federal act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The school transportation industry has garnered federal support in its bid to enhance its security against terrorists.

The sweeping security act passed by Congress and then signed by President Bush on Aug. 3 contains a provision for an assessment of the risk of a terrorist attack on the nation’s school buses.

A section of H.R. 1 directs the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to submit a pupil transportation security report to Congress within a year of enactment.

The report would cover security risks to both public and private school bus operations. It would assess steps already taken by the industry to address security risks and would determine whether further actions and investments are necessary.

The secretary would consult school officials, pupil transportation industry representatives, law enforcement officials and school bus driver unions.

The National School Transportation Association lobbied for the school bus provision to be added to the act. The group said that it marked the first time that pupil transportation security has been addressed in federal legislation.

The act comprises a vast range of security measures in various modes of transportation and other areas. It includes recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.