I’ve never blogged before, as will soon become apparent. But those of you who are familiar with my articles and columns in SCHOOL BUS FLEET already know that I’ve been a part of the pupil transportation community for many years. So I feel amply qualified to publish my thoughts here, even if the medium is a bit different from ink and paper.

For those of you who don’t know me or my work (and even for those of you who do), I’ve decided to create an electronic bond with you by revealing a few things you probably don’t know about me. (Feel free to leave now if you find personal information, well, too personal.)

• I’m an identical twin. My twin brother lives in Phoenix. He’s the executive director of a nonprofit association.

• I rode a school bus when I was in elementary school and used to crawl under the seats while the bus was in motion.

• I had a bus driver who had one green eye and one brown eye and was the mother of one of my classmates. She was featured in a newspaper article for safely evacuating her passengers in a bus fire (several years after I rode her bus).

• I once drove a 40-foot transit bus in a “celebrity” roadeo competition and took first place, narrowly defeating the mayor of Torrance, Calif. (who was also narrowly defeated in the next election).

• In addition to SCHOOL BUS FLEET, I’m also the editor of METRO Magazine www.metro-magazine.com, which covers the public transit and motorcoach industries.

• I have two sons, Nicholas (8) and Matthew (6), who are always fun to be around, but sometimes force me to raise my voice to uncomfortable levels.

• Based on my experience with my sons, I could never drive a school bus filled with rambunctious children. I’m in awe of what you do!

Keep it safe out there. . .

Steve