Due to the drastic changes to schools and student transportation nationwide wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American School Bus Council (ASBC) is bringing the industry together virtually to celebrate "Love the Bus" month. 

“Big Yellow Valentine,” a new online video campaign, will help educate parents, school officials, lawmakers, and the public about the essential role the yellow school bus continues to play in the lives of children every school day, according to a news release from the ASBC.

“Each school day, millions of children depend on the yellow bus to get safely to and from school. While the school bus, the safest way to get to school, is often deemed the hero by schoolchildren, it’s those behind the scenes — the drivers, technicians, and bus attendants — who are the unsung heroes,” said Charlie Hood, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services. “This year we wanted to take a different approach and produce a commemorative video to celebrate all those who keep education rolling. This past year has been difficult for all, so we wanted to take this time to show our appreciation for these essential personnel.”

The video will be available on the ASBC’s Facebook and YouTube pages and its member associations’ websites starting in mid-February. It will also be available on ASBC’s Love the Bus website later this month.

Launched in 2007, Love the Bus is a month-long celebration held every February. The event celebrates the important role of the yellow school bus in education, with a focus on thanking school bus drivers for safely transporting more than 25 million children to and from school every day. Love the Bus events are typically held at schools, school bus facilities, and other locations across the country.

While many school districts are not able to celebrate Love the Bus in a traditional sense this year with in-person events such as special meals and guests, the ASBC encourages all schools that are recognizing drivers and other essential workers in their districts to share stories, videos, and photos on ASBC’s Facebook and Twitter pages. School bus operations can also use #LovetheBus2021 to share what they are doing to celebrate.