WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) have converged at the nation’s capital this week to meet with legislators and discuss issues that impact the school bus industry.

The two-day event, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, is NSTA’s annual Capitol Hill Bus-In. Nearly 50 association members are participating in more than 200 individual meetings in congressional offices.

NSTA’s government relations firm, Prime Policy Group, coordinated the individual meetings with legislators so that association members can address industry-related topics.

“We are excited to welcome our members to Washington, D.C.,” NSTA President Blake Krapf said. “This event is crucial to NSTA's federal legislation efforts and helping Washington, D.C., understand and recognize the issues that face our industry.”

NSTA said it has worked to assess the current state of the private school bus industry and identify ways to expand opportunities for private contracting for its members. Association members will be talking to legislators about seeking support from the Department of Education to provide cost-analysis tools to public school districts to objectively assess their transportation costs.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our members,” NSTA Executive Director Tiffany Boykin said. “The Bus-In is critical in ensuring that elected officials hear from leaders in the private school bus contracting community on important issues that affect their ability to grow their businesses and, ultimately, ensure the continued safe transport of children to and from school.”