2011 Contractor Showcase

Operations honor staff during Love the Bus month

At events held around the country — many of which took place on Valentine’s Day — school bus drivers and others involved in transporting students are recognized for their dedication. Barbecue lunches and breakfasts are among the celebratory activities.

National Express Corp. welcomes new execs

The company, which comprises Durham School Services in the U.S. and Stock Transportation in Canada, appoints John Harvey as chief financial officer, Timothy Canavan as senior vice president of maintenance, Timothy Walter as senior vice president of safety and Kim Worster as vice president of operations for Canada.

Durham School Services acquires New Jersey contractor

Durham has begun integrating Vogel Bus Company Inc., which serves 40 customers throughout the state with a fleet of approximately 195 buses. Officials say the acquisition will allow Durham to increase market presence in New Jersey and continue to achieve growth goals.

Durham School Services wins Mississippi contract

The contractor began providing student transportation services to Hinds County School District on Aug. 11. The 105 new buses are equipped with air conditioning systems, GPS, video cameras and electronic child-check reminder systems to help ensure student safety.

Durham wins two more contracts

The contractor will serve school districts in Louisiana and Michigan under three-year contracts that began on July 1.

Durham wins four new contracts

The contractor will serve school districts in South Carolina, California, Mississippi and Tennessee under four- and five-year agreements that began on July 1.

What's New in the Top 50

Recent developments with several of this year's largest school bus contractor companies.

School bus contracting veteran to retire

Barry Stock has been a fixture in the pupil transportation community since he launched Stock School Transport in 1988. He recently served as president of NSTA and was named SBF’s Contractor of the Year in ’97. He describes his career as “exhilarating and rewarding.”

Thomas Built to deliver SCR-equipped buses to Durham

The school bus manufacturer in May will begin filling an order from the contractor for 288 Saf-T-Liner EF units. Along with a redesigned cockpit, the bus features a Cummins engine with selective catalytic reduction technology to meet EPA emissions requirements.