WASHINGTON, D.C. — The effort to create a federally-funded program promoting school bus use is now focused on drumming up support in the Senate.

After recruiting nearly 50 members of the House to sign on to a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood — a turnout that the National Association for Pupil Transportation called “a rousing success by any measure” — industry members are being urged to contact their senators.

As with the House version of the letter, the Senate version asks LaHood to allocate funding for a two-year public education program to promote greater use of school buses.

Pupil transportation industry groups, partnered as the American School Bus Council, are working together in the campaign. The Senate effort is being co-sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland and Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma.

The letter to LaHood also outlines the safety, environmental and financial benefits of utilizing school buses. The Senate signatures are needed by Friday, April 16.

“It is imperative that each senator receive as many contacts as possible requesting their support and signature,” Bob Riley, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, told members.

To find your state’s U.S. senators, go here. A sample letter and other information are available on the National School Transportation Association’s Website.