School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Chin up, head high

As we head into the 2003-04 school year, I'd like for everyone to start off on a positive note. Admittedly, that’s not an easy task given the deflatin...

by Frank DiGiacomo, Publisher
August 1, 2003
3 min to read


As we head into the 2003-04 school year, I'd like for everyone to start off on a positive note. Admittedly, that’s not an easy task given the deflating press reports about school transportation over the past several months.

We all know that the economic downturn has created significant challenges for many school bus fleets. Ensuing budget cutbacks have taken a toll on the industry, in many cases requiring operators, public and private, to resharpen already-sharp pencils.

Ad Loading...

As reported in the media, these budget cutbacks have forced some school boards to reduce service, always an unpleasant task and always certain to roil parents and the community. In some cases, bus drivers, mechanics and other transportation staff have been laid off. In other cases, service levels have been maintained, but only by dipping into funding reserves, freezing salaries or implementing parent-pay programs. Obviously, none of these scenarios is desirable.

It’s our challenge
But we can't do anything about outside factors, economic and otherwise. We need to focus on bringing a positive attitude to the workplace every day. Children who ride the bus shouldn’t be burdened with the sometimes harsh fiscal realities that affect the industry. That’s our challenge, not theirs. What they need is a safe, efficient ride provided by drivers who have received the proper training, the right equipment and all the encouragement and motivation that we can give them.

The school bus industry has so much to be proud of. Our safety record is second to none. We transport more than 24 million children between home and school each day. Millions more ride school buses for field trips or athletic events. With approximately 450,000 yellow school buses plying the roads each school day in the United States, it’s the most impressive transportation fleet on the planet!

In my opinion, the yellow school bus is a national treasure and never has gotten its due. To the average citizen, a school bus is a necessary but inconvenient fellow traveler on the highway. Few of these citizens are aware of the industry’s incredible safety record and the challenges it faces on a daily basis.

Even the millions of children who ride school buses are unaware of their good fortune. But one day they will look back on their bus passage with nostalgia and probably will have strong memories of their favorite driver and, of course, their least favorite. Try to make sure that their memories are pleasant ones.

Ad Loading...

Challenges all around
Let’s not forget that the economic downturn has also impacted the manufacturers of buses and their suppliers. Like you, they’ve had to absorb some of the pain created by funding shortfalls. When this happens, it’s tough for the industry because of the symbiotic relationship between school bus operators and the supplier community. What hurts one also hurts the other.

Once the economy recovers and education funding levels return to normal, you should push for the return of every cent that might have been cut from your budget. And don’t forget to invest in new equipment. Not only will this reduce your maintenance costs and improve your fleet’s overall safety, it will allow our bread-and-butter bus manufacturers to improve what’s already the safest vehicle on the road today — the yellow school bus.

Hope you’ve had a great summer!

Topics:Management
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Management

School Bus Fleet graphic announcing Annette Brown of Wa-Nee Community Schools as the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero, featuring Brown smiling inside a school bus alongside the award and AngelTrax sponsor logos.
ManagementCover Storyby Elora HaynesSeptember 22, 2026

Annette Brown Always Takes the Extra Time: Meet Our 2026 School Bus Driver Hero

For more than 30 years, the Wa-Nee Community Schools driver has treated students like family, combining safety, compassion, and servant leadership to make a lasting difference on and beyond the school bus.

Read More →
thumbnail for the route season 2 episode 9 featuring photos of bret brooks and amanda huggett
ManagementSeptember 15, 2026

How to Build a Better Driver Training Program

Ready to boost up your school bus instructor training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety.

Read More →
Catalyst Mobility: Building Clean Transportation Together
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 14, 2026

CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility

The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School bus driver training graphic featuring a group gathered around a yellow school bus, with text reading, “Tips for Selecting Superb School Bus Driver Instructors.”
Managementby Amanda HuggettSeptember 14, 2026

What Makes a Great School Bus Driver Trainer?

Choosing the right school bus driver trainer takes more than experience. Learn six keys to selecting and developing trainers and evaluating program effectiveness.

Read More →
Compton Unified School District transportation staff stand between two yellow school buses, including a small bus and a full-size conventional bus.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 11, 2026

School Bus Contractors Expand Through New Deals, Acquisitions & Partnerships

STA's Canadian division acquires Ontario-based G&L Stevenson Transport; Durham School Services adds a new district in California; First Student expands in New Jersey; and Minnesota Coaches rebrands and acquires Halo Transportation.

Read More →
A line up of school buses with one out front of the group.
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 7, 2026

Logan Bus Company Rolls Out AI Phone System for NYC School Bus Families

A summer pilot found that AI agents could handle most routine calls, freeing up time for customer service staff to focus on emergencies and complex family concerns.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic that reads “What I Learned About Leadership” over photos of school transportation professionals participating in discussions and networking at the TAPT leadership event.
ManagementSeptember 4, 2026

From Intent to Impact: What I Learned About Leadership from TAPT

A Texas transportation supervisor shares lessons on self-awareness, accountability, managing stress and building trust — and why investing in leadership development matters at every stage of your career.

Read More →
Graphic announcing the 2026 NAPT Award Winners, featuring the National Association for Pupil Transportation logo on a blue background with gold stars.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 3, 2026

NAPT Names 2026 Award Recipients, Hall of Fame Inductee

Who earned national recognition for their work in student transportation? This year, NAPT named five recipients of its 2026 awards for service, safety, and leadership, plus its newest Hall of Famer.

Read More →
Zonar Cover for White Paper Survey Results for 2026 State of Student Transportation
SponsoredSeptember 2, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Driver shortages. Rising costs. Growing safety expectations. More data, but not enough time to act on it. The 2026 State of Student Transportation Report reveals what transportation leaders say is putting the most pressure on their operations—and where they’re investing next. See how your priorities compare.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic reading “Managing Others’ Anger: Keeping Your Cool When Tempers Are High,” alongside a red balloon with an angry face against a stormy background.
Managementby Amanda HuggettSeptember 1, 2026

How to De-Escalate an Angry Person: 5 Steps for Handling Workplace Conflict

What makes emotions run high, and how should you handle an angry colleague or parent? Follow these steps for staying calm, listening, showing empathy, and resolving conflict.

Read More →