WALL, N.J. — More than 85 percent of Student Transportation of America’s (STA) 200-member U.S. maintenance team has been working toward becoming master-certified school bus technicians under the ASE School Bus Test Series.

"This company-sponsored ASE certification process will proudly acknowledge the skill and dedication of the men and women who service and maintain our highly complex school buses upon which we depend so much for the safe transportation of our students every day," said Joe Alesandro, vice president of fleet management. "This certification process is core to our overall company vehicle safety program and shows STA's ongoing commitment to providing our customers [with] safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation services."

The ASE School Bus Test Series includes multiple certification exams on such topics as body systems and special equipment, diesel engines, drivetrain, brakes, suspension and steering, and electrical/electronic systems.

In other news, the philanthropic arm of Student Transportation Inc., the STA Education Foundation, will host the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C., Oct. 28 to 31. The event will raise money for local charities via ticket sales. The STA Education Foundation recently directed some of the proceeds from the 2009 event to fund 16 partial collegiate scholarships for high school seniors in the greater Charleston area.

Moreover, Student Transportation will hold its Annual General Meeting of shareholders on Nov. 11 at the Toronto Stock Exchange Broadcast & Conference Centre in the Exchange Tower.