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Thomas McMahon

Executive Editor

Thomas had covered the pupil transportation industry with School Bus Fleet since 2002. When he's not writing articles about yellow buses, he enjoys running long distances and making a joyful noise with his guitar.

Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 21, 2014

Pepper spray on school bus disrupts trip to volcano

The bus was en route to Washington's Mount St. Helens. After a student discharged pepper spray, the bus driver began to have trouble breathing but was able to pull over safely "before she became overwhelmed," according to the Washington State Patrol.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 19, 2014

Georgia district sees 42% drop in stop-arm violations

In two years, illegal passing of Marietta City Schools buses decreased from 192 reported incidents in a day to 112. Since the district equipped 12 of its buses with stop-arm cameras last year, police have issued 830 citations.

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The trouble with cutting bus service

Previously, I discussed the notion that districts have a responsibility to be “in the transportation business,” which some disagree with. Here, I want to draw attention to issues that arise when districts decide to cut school bus service. As shown in the Etiwanda (Calif.) School District example, increased traffic around schools is one of the key problems. ...

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 15, 2014

Driver hailed for response to school bus fire

Fire officials in Mesa, Ariz., praise a school bus driver for her decisive actions to keep her special-education passengers safe when her bus caught on fire. The driver had reportedly noticed a small amount of smoke while she was driving, and she quickly pulled over and helped her passengers evacuate.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 14, 2014

Congressman pushes school bus safety 'overhaul' bill

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) introduces legislation in the House of Representatives that would set minimum penalties nationwide for stop-arm running. The bill would also mandate that all states require background checks for school bus drivers, and it would create a school bus seat belt demonstration program, among other measures.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 9, 2014

8.0L PIthon engine to power Thomas Built propane bus

Powertrain Integration (PI) names its 8.0L V8 propane autogas engine the PIthon. It has been selected as the engine platform for Thomas Built Buses' new propane-powered Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 8, 2014

Alabama district delays school bus fee plan by 1 year

Hoover City Schools' plan to charge fees for student transportation is now being targeted for the 2015-16 school year instead of 2014-15. The plan outlines a fee structure that ranges from $0.43 to $2.26 per day, depending on how many student riders a family has and whether they qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 5, 2014

Transportation veteran made mark in training, new facility

Sharon Schalk was a driving force in training Washington's school bus driver instructors, and she pushed for funding for a much-needed new transportation facility at her district. She died on April 25 after being diagnosed with cancer a few months earlier.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 5, 2014

School bus driver fired after crashing into ditch

Bus surveillance footage from the April 21 incident in Orting, Wash., clarifies some key details about the crash, which was initially reported in the media to have been caused by a bee distracting the bus driver. District officials say that based on their review of the material, the driver has been terminated.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonMay 1, 2014

EPA offers $9 million in clean diesel funding

The agency is now soliciting proposals for the 2014 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, which provides grants to retrofit or replace older diesel vehicles — including school buses — to reduce emissions.

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