WASHINGTON, D.C. — Private school bus operators have convened here to discuss key issues during two days of congressional meetings and other activities.

The National School Transportation Association (NSTA)’s annual Spring Bus-In, which is being held Tuesday and Wednesday, will include nearly 200 individualized congressional meetings, NSTA committee meetings and a dinner featuring Congressman Sam Graves, the subcommittee chairman of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee.

"This event is incredibly important to our members and for our association,” NSTA President Tim Flood said. “Spending time in our nation's capital as a group speaking to our legislators about our most pressing issues is critical to our success."

NSTA members will raise issues that will be considered in legislation to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs, which will occur later this year. Those issues include minimum levels of financial responsibility; Compliance, Safety and Accountability program reform; and concerns with utilization of hair follicle testing for federal drug tests.

NSTA Executive Director Ronna Weber described the event as “a successful and productive week benefiting NSTA and the private school bus industry.”