Hurricane Sandy: the impact on NYC's school bus fleets

Last fall's massive storm on the East Coast created a surge of challenges for student transportation in New York City, from flooded bus yards and offices to fuel and equipment shortages. Here's an overview of the crisis and how the city's Office of Pupil Transportation responded.

More details on Alabama bus driver’s heroic response

The confrontation between an armed intruder and school bus driver Charles Poland lasted more than four minutes, with Poland standing in the aisle to block the gunman from his students and refusing to move, according to a report from CNN. Meanwhile, students in the back of the bus opened the rear emergency exit so they could escape.

Krapf Bus donates phones to 911 Cell Phone Bank

The school bus contractor recently updated its cellular network and searched for an organization that would put the old phones to good use. Krapf decided on the 911 Cell Phone Bank, which provides law enforcement with free emergency cell phones for seniors and victims of abuse.

Snapshots — Fall 2012/Winter 2013

Overturned bus training an ‘eye-opener’ for staff

More than 80 people in Van Buren County, Mich., participate in an emergency training event that shows them what it feels like to be in an overturned school bus as well as one filled with smoke. Transportation Supervisor Mark Niewoonder shares details on the hands-on event and how it changed staff members’ perceptions.

Emergency Training in an Overturned Bus

Evacuating passengers with special needs and equipment

Pupil transportation officials must have access to medical information on the students they are transporting, especially when the students are dependent on medical equipment and others for their care. They must also have a well-developed evacuation plan for all students that they transport.

South Western City Schools' Bomb Threat Exercise

Identifying and evaluating school bus route hazards

To ensure students’ safety, transportation managers must implement a procedure for this effort that includes scheduled onsite reviews and a means to efficiently communicate the hazards to staff. School bus drivers, local and state police, and local emergency operations centers should be involved.

Houston district trains for disaster with overturned bus

School bus drivers and attendants at Houston Independent School District this year are undergoing counter-terrorism training, which includes a mock disaster drill. The event involves an older bus turned on its side and staged injuries, allowing the staff members to practice their first aid training.