I recently read an interesting item in a newsletter published by Missoula, Mont.-based school bus and charter motorcoach operator Beach Transportation Co. 

The story said that two of the company’s drivers spent a Saturday earlier this year promoting school bus safety at a children’s fair held at a local mall. A Type A school bus was parked in the mall and the drivers encouraged kids to explore the bus.

Moreover, they distributed coloring books and handouts filled with bus safety lessons and explained to parents why passing a stopped school bus is illegal. The drivers also explained how parents can help their children be safe in and around school buses. 

I don’t know if it’s possible for other operations to organize similar efforts at a mall or shopping center in their area, but this seems to me like a great way to spread the word to the general public about bus safety and the benefits of riding a school bus, especially because it allows you to speak with parents and children simultaneously.

It also enables you to reach a large group of people. I generally don’t like to shop for hours so I don’t go to the malls in my area very often, but when I do there is usually a substantial number of people stopping in walkways to window shop or people rushing in and out of the stores. (Another reason why I tend to avoid malls.)

What better way to catch these people’s attention than to have a bright yellow bus in the middle of one of those walkways?

Has your operation held such an event in the past? Or, has your operation held another type of event to promote and educate people on school bus safety? If so, I would like to read about it and how you went about organizing it. Post a comment below or send an e-mail toinfo@schoolbusfleet.com.

Until next time,

Kelly Roher

Senior Editor