TORRANCE, Calif. — SCHOOL BUS FLEET and the National Association for Pupil Transportation’s (NAPT) board of directors have ratified a partnership that will provide both organizations with opportunities to better inform and educate the pupil transportation industry.

Under the agreement, SBF will assist the NAPT in disseminating information to the school transportation community, marketing the association’s programs and events and broadening its membership.

To that end, the NAPT’s News & Views newsletter will be incorporated into SBF’s regular issues. It will carry many of the same articles that appeared in the newsletter, such as a letter from the president of the NAPT. (See pg. 18 for the introductory letter from incoming NAPT president, Lenny Bernstein, as well as board candidate statements and a list of NAPT award winners.)

“This is a tremendous development for both organizations and for the pupil transportation industry,” SBF Publisher Frank Di Giacomo said. “We’re delighted to help NAPT inform and educate school bus professionals at all levels and to help the association continue to grow.”

“We have embarked on a lot of really exciting projects while I have been on the NAPT board, and this is no exception,” said NAPT President Steve Kalmes. “Our arrangement with SCHOOL BUS FLEET will be a great way for us to expand our ability to provide our members with the education and information services that have become our hallmark. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for us both.”

NAPT’s Mike Martin is similarly enthusiastic about the new partnership. “I am as excited about taking the next step in this relationship as I have been about anything we have done during my 10 years at NAPT,” he said. “Month after month, SCHOOL BUS FLEET produces a great magazine. They think progressively and innovatively and really care about the industry and our organization.”

Martin pointed to SBF’s long history of working hand-in-hand with the NAPT. “In many respects, NAPT has been partners with SCHOOL BUS FLEET for nearly 30 years,” he said.

Since 1974, SBF has presented its Administrator of the Year award at the annual NAPT Conference and Trade Show. At this year’s show in Austin, Texas, SBF will be handing out its 32nd award.

Also, in 1977, Edward J. Bobit, chairman of Torrance, Calif.-based Bobit Business Media (parent company of SBF), agreed to serve as executive director of the NAPT and shepherded the association through its early “growing pains.” Under his leadership, the NAPT was able to overcome its organizational and financial challenges. In 1999, Bobit was inducted into the NAPT Hall of Fame in recognition of his efforts.

With the ratification of the partnership, the relationship between SBF and NAPT will bear even greater achievements. “I’m looking forward to working more closely with Mike and his staff,” said SBF Editor Steve Hirano. “Working together, the sum of our efforts will be much, much greater than the whole.”