New NHTSA chief to speak at Love the Bus event

ARLINGTON, Va. — Federal officials and other dignitaries will help promote the benefits of the school bus during a Love the Bus event to be held here on Tuesday.

The gathering is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 9:15 a.m. EST at Tuckahoe Elementary School in Arlington. It will be the American School Bus Council’s main event for Love the Bus 2015.

Dr. Mark Rosekind, the new administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will talk about the safety advantages of the school bus. Rosekind, who spent the past four years as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, took the reins at NHTSA last month.

Christopher Grundler, director of the U.S. EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, will speak on the yellow bus’ environmental benefits.

Dr. Patrick Murphy, superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, will talk about the important work that school bus drivers carry out. Two of the district's drivers will be recognized for their dedication and safety records.

Also on hand will be 200 elementary school students wearing school bus yellow T-shirts, and a chorus of preschoolers will sing school bus-themed songs.

Many pupil transportation operations across the nation will be holding their own Love the Bus events this month to recognize their drivers and to promote the vital role that the yellow bus plays in students’ lives.