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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.

Articlesby Thomas McMahonFebruary 20, 2014

Kids know good drivers

Surely most children aren’t aware of all the specific requirements. But they do seem to understand that being a school bus driver is a tough job that not everyone is cut out for.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonFebruary 20, 2014

Drug, alcohol clearinghouse for CDL drivers proposed

Federal officials say that the clearinghouse would make it easier to determine whether a truck or bus driver is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle for failing to comply with drug and alcohol regulations. A spokesperson for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that all employers of CDL holders, including school bus drivers, would have to have programs to satisfy the proposed rule.

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Articlesby Thomas McMahonFebruary 13, 2014

A/c units keep current with cooling needs

Trends in school bus air-conditioning systems include increased demand for bulkhead evaporators and rooftop units, officials say. Here’s a look at key features in the latest cooling technology.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonFebruary 13, 2014

Indiana district gives 3-year notice to end bus service

The Decatur Township school board passes a resolution to notify the Indiana Department of Education that it may terminate transportation services in 2017. Superintendent Matt Prusiecki says that "unfortunately, due to our financial situation, this is a cut we need to consider," but it could be avoided if local voters pass a property tax increase.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonFebruary 12, 2014

New NASDPTS paper details support for lap-shoulder belts

The new position paper elaborates on the state directors association’s recently updated stance on lap-shoulder belts — fully supporting their installation and use in school buses. NASDPTS lays out 10 supporting points for its position, including the limits of compartmentalization and the ability of current lap-shoulder belt systems to maintain bus capacity.

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Articlesby Thomas McMahonFebruary 11, 2014

Rising costs, security and bus eligibility cuts are key issues

Having held a variety of leadership roles in the industry, Don Carnahan brings diverse insight to his second term as president of NAPT. Here, he shares his perspectives on changes and challenges in pupil transportation.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonFebruary 10, 2014

Illinois state director Cinda Meneghetti to retire

Meneghetti, who has served as the state's director of pupil transportation for nearly 10 years, will step down at the end of February. Here, she reflects on her work with Illinois' instructors — who teach about 28,000 drivers annually — her efforts to educate legislators and the public about school bus issues, and the "caring and passionate people" she has worked with in the industry.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonJanuary 31, 2014

NYAPT works to bolster school bus security

On Wednesday, the one-year anniversary of the slaying of Alabama school bus driver Charles Poland Jr., the New York Association for Pupil Transportation paid tribute to Poland and announced steps it is taking to increase school bus security. For example, the association is supporting legislation that would make it a crime of criminal trespass to board a school bus without permission.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonJanuary 29, 2014

Global school transport conference to be launched in U.K.

Interchangeability 2014, to be held June 15-18 in Buckinghamshire, England, is designed to bring together school transportation professionals from around the world to share ideas and best practices. The conference is the creation of transportation veterans Sian Thornthwaite and Kirsti Robinson.

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Newsby Thomas McMahonJanuary 24, 2014

In harsh cold, school buses serve as warming stations

With temperatures hovering in the single digits on Thursday, Nashville residents who needed a break from the bitter cold could climb aboard a "Mobile Warming Station" — also known as a yellow school bus. The city's Office of Emergency Management partnered with Metro Nashville Public Schools for the innovative program.

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