SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Can you spare some change?

Change is in the air in Washington, as you may have read in the

by Frank Di Giacomo, Publisher
February 1, 2009
3 min to read


Change is in the air in Washington, as you may have read in the News & Views in this issue.

The question is: Is there any change (and I mean that in more than one sense) available for the nation’s venerable school bus system?

Ad Loading...

In a recent episode of the National Association for Pupil Transportation’s video blog, NAPTV, Executive Director Mike Martin asked Peter Mannella, an NAPT board member and executive director of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation, how he would define “change” at the federal level.

“In our own industry, I define ‘change’ as the federal government paying attention to school transportation,” Peter said. “I think there’s an opportunity there for us to present the school bus as a clean, green option for kids.”

Peter makes a great point. With a new administration in Washington, now is a vital time to reach out and promote our industry. And a key way to do this is through the American School Bus Council (ASBC).

The council strives to spread the word about the many benefits of pupil transportation. This has ranged from issuing insightful press releases to coordinating popular events like Love the Bus.

Being composed of all types of industry players — public and private transporters, manufacturers, state directors — part of ASBC’s mission is to “speak with one voice on Capitol Hill.”

Ad Loading...

Convincing evidence
ASBC recently released an analysis of U.S. pupil transportation in 2008. The findings are powerful, and they should send a clear message to anyone who fails to realize the importance of school buses. Here are some highlights:


  • 36: the average number of cars that would be needed to transport students currently riding one school bus

  • 17.3 million: the total number of cars that would be needed to transport students currently riding all school buses

  • 822 million gallons per year: the total fuel used by school buses

  • $3.4 billion per year: the total cost of fuel used by school buses

Ad Loading...
  • 3.1 billion gallons per year: the total fuel for cars replaced by school buses

  • $11.4 billion per year: the cost of fuel for cars replaced by school buses Can’t live without it
    What all of this boils down to is that about $8 billion in fuel costs is saved in the U.S. by children riding school buses. Then there’s the savings in time and car wear-and-tear for parents, and the reduction of cars on the road. And, of course, students are far safer riding a school bus than they are traveling to and from school any other way.

    With the economy in dire conditions, state and local funding for pupil transportation could take big hits. But, as the numbers above show, the nation can’t afford to have its school bus system diminished.

    If the Obama administration is looking for a solid investment for federal funds, it should target pupil transportation. That’s a change that’s long overdue.

     

Topics:Safety
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Safety

A rendering of the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 9, 2026

Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.

Read More →
Children cross in front of a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended while a nearby vehicle waits, illustrating school zone safety and risks of illegal passing.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 9, 2026

Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders

Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.

Read More →
Graphic featuring a headshot of Michael Graham, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, wearing a dark suit and red tie against an orange gradient background, with “Leadership Update” and School Bus Fleet branding on the left.
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety

A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with bold yellow background and red headline reading “A Split Second from Disaster,” alongside a photo of a freight train traveling down railroad tracks. Subtext reads, “What one incident reminds us about railroad crossing safety,” with School Bus Fleet branding at the bottom.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettApril 7, 2026

'A Train Is Coming': Florida School Bus Close Call Highlights Critical Railroad Safety Reminders

Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.

Read More →
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 7, 2026

No Train, No Stop? FMCSA Considers Rule Change for School Buses

The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.

Read More →
Row of yellow school buses with overlay text reading “The essential guide to school bus fleet maintenance: Maximizing safety and uptime” and the Geotab logo.
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance: Maximizing Safety and Uptime

Stop reacting to engine lights and start predicting them. This guide reveals how transitioning from a "break-fix" model to a data-driven maintenance strategy can drastically reduce fleet downtime and protect your district's budget. Learn how to transform your garage operations from a cost center into a reliability powerhouse.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A close-up view of the top of a yellow school bus with “School Bus” signage and red lights, overlaid with a cracked-glass effect. Text on the image reads, “Multi-Vehicle Crash in TN Takes 2 Lives” and “March 27, 2026,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 31, 2026

2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck

A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a stop-arm gate and text reading "Legislative Roundup March 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMarch 30, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Stop-Arm Enforcement, EV Mandates & Seat Belts

From North Dakota public charter school regulations, tracking illegal school bus passing consequences in multiple states, and the continued debate on New York’s electric school bus mandate, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 30, 2026

Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions

While the yellow school bus remains the backbone of student transit, 75% of administrators identify limited transportation access as a major driver of chronic absenteeism. This guide explores how districts are strengthening their fleets by integrating flexible, supplemental solutions to serve students with the most complex needs. Learn how a multimodal approach can bridge service gaps, restore attendance, and support your most vulnerable populations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a school bus stop-arm camera mounted on the side of a yellow bus, used to record drivers who illegally pass while students board or exit.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMarch 27, 2026

Michigan District Rolls Out New Stop-Arm Program

Grand Rapids Public Schools is partnering up with BusPatrol and Dean Transportation to outfit the entire bus fleet with cameras.

Read More →