45K trained in school transportation security program

Tens of thousands of school bus drivers and other pupil transportation personnel have been trained in School Bus First Observer, officials reported recently.

A total of 45,066 people have gone through the security awareness program, as of Feb. 15.

“You have much to be proud of,” Charles Hall, First Observer program manager, said in a recent newsletter to school bus industry stakeholders.

School Bus First Observer trains pupil transporters on identifying and reporting potentially criminal or terrorist activities. It launched in 2009 as the successor to School Bus Watch.

The Transportation Security Administration program is run by HMS Co.

The vast majority of School Bus First Observer participants have been trained in classrooms — 39,976 people in 890 classes. Another 937 have taken the course online.

The total of 45,066 includes 4,153 people who were trained previously under School Bus Watch.