Petermann deal ups National Express fleet to 20K buses

With the merger now complete, the Cincinnati-based school bus contractor will join National Express' Durham School Services brand. Petermann CEO Pete Settle calls National Express "the perfect home for Petermann."

Snapshots — Winter, Spring, Summer 2012

Durham honored for supporting Special Olympics chapter

The school bus contractor receives the Maggiano’s Hero Award from Special Olympics Illinois for its consistent volunteerism in the Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby, for providing buses and drivers for the Polar Plunge and the Law Enforcement Torch Run Plane Pull, and for collecting new sports equipment for Area 2 as part of its Christmas drive.

Landmark Student Transportation names president

Kirk Flach joins the school bus company in the role, where he will oversee all aspects of its operations in North America. Flach, who has more than 15 years’ experience in the industry, was most recently senior vice president of operations for National Express Corp.

Durham employees volunteer for student reading program

Cheryl Tiemann and Eddy Minze of the contractor’s Brenham, Texas, terminal visit a local elementary school each week to serve as mentors in the HOSTS reading intervention program. Tiemann and Minze work with first-graders, reading to them and listening to them read.

Pupil transporters plan activities, issue tips for School Bus Safety Week

From industry associations to school districts to contractors, officials are gearing up to observe the national event, which will be held next week. Participation in Operation Safe Stop, poster and writing contests, and recognizing bus drivers for performance excellence are among the activities in the works. Officials urge students and motorists to use caution when walking and driving around school buses.

National Express Group to acquire Petermann

The parent company of Durham School Services and Stock Transportation has signed an agreement to acquire Petermann, which is headquartered in Cincinnati and has operations across 10 states in the West, Midwest and Southwest. Officials say the acquisition will increase National Express’ fleet size to 20,000 buses and introduce the company to new states.

Durham provides bus service for Fla. magnet school students

As a result of budget shortfalls, Duval County Public Schools cut all bus service to and from magnet schools this summer. The contractor is operating eight magnet school routes for the district.

Texas district approves fare-based bus system

Keller Independent School District's board of trustees meets to address $32 million in budget cuts, and establishes a pay-for-ride bus service to replace the free service. The new service offers a monthly payment option for parents.

Bus driver credited with saving special-needs student’s life

After noticing that Connor DiLorenzo is choking, Danny Waldrum pulls his bus over, calls 911, checks to see if the boy is breathing and administers an abdominal thrust, which dislodges a small pebble from his throat. A paramedic who responded to the incident says “it's absolutely possible” DiLorenzo could have lost his life without Waldrum's quick action.