School Bus Fleet - All

Swedish firm making fuel from forestry residues

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Chemrec uses black liquor, a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, to produce BioDME, which it touts as a renewable and cleaner alternative to diesel. The company looks to open plants in the U.S.

NYAPT testifies before state fiscal committees

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

The pupil transportation group cautions lawmakers to avoid money-saving measures that could compromise student safety. NYAPT also expresses qualified support for a "shared services" proposal, calls for a review of special-needs transportation costs, and proposes streamlining paperwork requirements.

Proactive Customers Boost Lift User Safety

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

The features of today’s vehicle lifts help prevent technician injuries, but to maximize their safety, pupil transporters must ensure that the lift is certified, that their shop can properly house the equipment, that techs are trained to operate it and that the lift is inspected annually.

Bill aims to prevent students from being left on buses

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Pennsylvania legislation would mandate that the State Board of Education implement a procedure that all school bus drivers must follow to make certain that no students are left behind. Drivers who leave passengers stranded would face fines. The bill would also toughen penalties for driving a bus under the influence.

Program offers memorable lesson on bus safety

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Professional rodeo clown Marvin Nash and his wife, Darlene, developed the Take Pride in Your Ride program, which promotes school bus safety and appreciation of the driver and fellow riders. Drivers are educated on the content and then teach it to students.

FMCSA clarifies texting ban

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

An agency official explains that the new texting ban for truck and bus drivers only applies to school bus drivers in limited cases. A forthcoming proposed rule may affect school bus drivers not currently covered.

ASBC encourages the public to ‘Love the Bus’

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Students, parents and teachers can recognize and thank their school bus drivers this month as part of the Love the Bus program in a variety of ways, including making Valentine’s cards for the drivers. The program is also an opportunity for the public to learn about the environmental and safety benefits of school bus transportation.

Sen. proposes cutting busing for Utah high school students

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Although such a move has been made in other places, some officials disagree with the proposal, citing traffic congestion, safety and other concerns.

Great Fleets Across America 2010

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Our annual series is back as we profile five outstanding pupil transportation operations from around the nation. Find out how their safety practices, innovative training programs and open lines of communication have led them to succeed.

Ignition interlocks on buses help child care agency enhance safety

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Rainbow Chimes Inc. has had the device, which prevents a bus driver under the influence of alcohol from operating a vehicle, installed on its buses. Sens-O-Lock of America provided the ignition interlocks, which also prevent drivers from leaving the bus running in an attempt to bypass the system prior to returning to drive the bus.

Thomas Built names new president

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

School bus OEM officially announces Kelley Platt as the successor of John O’Leary, who moved into a new role with Daimler Trucks North America. Platt played a pivotal role in Daimler’s 1998 acquisition of Thomas Built.

District considering EpiPen training for bus drivers

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Officials from a Massachusetts school district are planning to discuss with its contractor the possibility of training school bus drivers on how to use EpiPens. A state law going into effect in March will require the training only for new school bus drivers.

District must increase security for special-needs students on buses

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 0:00:00 PST

Under a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, a Tennessee school district is required to enhance the safety of students with disabilities by taking such steps as staffing monitors to assist drivers on all special-needs buses. The settlement is the result of a lawsuit stemming from episodes of peer-on-peer sexual harassment on buses operated by the district.

Propane bus endures winter testing

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 0:00:00 PST

School districts in Minnesota try out Blue Bird’s Propane-Powered Vision to see how it performs in frigid weather.

NSTA awards Green Fleet Certification to 11 members

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 0:00:00 PST

Open to all NSTA members in good standing, the Green Fleet Certification program has been endorsed by the EPA's Clean School Bus USA program.

Canadian pupil transportation event to tackle timely issues

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 0:00:00 PST

Sessions during the biannual Canadian Pupil Transportation Conference, scheduled for May 16-19, will cover such topics as illegal bus passing, fuel management and seat belts. A trade show will also be held.

Washington state school buses could have ads

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 0:00:00 PST

New legislation would permit school districts to place advertisements and educational material on and in school buses if they have been approved by the districts’ school boards. Revenue generated by the ads would be deposited in general or transportation vehicle funds.

Feds ban texting for bus, truck drivers

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 0:00:00 PST

The prohibition, effective immediately, is the latest in a series of actions taken by the U.S. DOT to combat distracted driving after a national summit on the issue in September. Violators may face fines of up to $2,750.

Conn. voters support proposed school bus seat belt bill

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 0:00:00 PST

Poll finds that nearly three-fourths of voters in the state support the measure, which was spurred by the recent death of a high school student in a bus accident.

Registration open for 15th NCST

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 0:00:00 PST

Industry delegates can register for the National Congress on School Transportation through the NCST Website. An agenda for the event and proposed changes to its Writing Committee drafts are also available to view. Feb. 19 is the deadline to submit comments on the drafts.