Operations in Michigan and Arizona were among those that held events in February to honor school bus drivers and aides for Love the Bus month.

Portage (Mich.) Public Schools (PPS) held a Safe Drivers Awards Program. Dysart Unified School District in Surprise, Ariz., honored transportation employees during a presentation sponsored by Auto Safety House LLC.

PPS honored 52 of its bus drivers for their combined 397 years of safely transporting students to and from school during its fifth annual Safe Drivers Awards Program. Each driver with a preventable accident-free driving record received a certificate of recognition. Those who demonstrated safe driving for multiple years were given a lapel pin indicating this achievement.

The Safe Drivers Awards Program is open to employees who have a daily assignment that involves driving a school bus for official district business, and have not had their driving privileges revoked or suspended.

"Driving a school bus is a special skill that is not for everyone," PPS Transportation Manager Louk Markham said. "Portage's professional school bus drivers are conscientious, safe and truly love their job and what they do every day."  

Dysart Unified School District and Auto Safety House created a joint Love the Bus presentation that honored both aides and school bus drivers.

"Love the Bus is a great opportunity to thank the people who protect our most precious cargo — our children — and help transport children to and from school each day throughout our district," said Bob Streeter, director of transportation.

Rudy Garcia, vice president of Auto Safety House, added that the company is very committed to the Love the Bus program because aside from providing recognition to key individuals who assist in safely transporting children to and from school, the program promotes good student citizenship and bus safety.