WARRENVILLE, Ill. — National Express Corp. (NEC) and its operating subsidiaries recently held an employee poster contest as a way to share school bus safety messages in a fun and memorable way.

Pupil transportation professionals from Durham School Services and Petermann in the U.S. and Stock Transportation in Canada designed 120 posters that communicate valuable operational safety messages, according to NEC.

The company selected the top five submissions and will display them at all NEC facilities. The top entries are as follows:

1. Robie Hartling from Gloucester, Ontario. Hartling’s poster addressed year-round driving challenges, reminding bus drivers to make seasonal adjustments on the road to remain safe. Hartling received $1,000 for his entry.

2. Pamela Morgan from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Morgan’s poster focused on bus drivers staying alert at bus stops in order to keep children safe, especially when kids become distracted. Morgan received $750 for her poster.

3. Cynthia Woods from East Haven, Conn. Her poster highlighted the company’s child-check policy, reminding bus drivers that searching the bus after every run is essential. Woods won $500.

4. Amy Duong from Harvard, Ill. Duong’s poster focused on the importance of defensive driving to protect children. Duong received $250 for her poster.

5. David Cook from Elizabethtown, Pa. Cook’s entry focused on the company's policy that employees must wear reflective safety vests in the bus yard to help ensure their safety. Cook received $100 for his poster.

“I’m impressed by the artistic abilities of our school bus drivers and staff members,” said Bob Trinkleback, vice president of safety. “The submissions were truly amazing. The safety messages were right on target, and they were brought to life in such unique ways on paper.”

He went on to say that the five winning posters will serve as a daily reminder to all employees that safety comes first at Durham, Stock and Petermann.

“We preach safety in a variety of ways to ensure it stays top of mind with every employee,” he added. “Having drivers see a safety message before departing for their route will emphasize the importance of getting their students to school safely, on time and ready to learn.”

Other news related to National Express Corp.:

• Petermann deal ups National Express fleet to 20K buses

• Carey Paster joins National Express Corp.