Bus driver credibility weakens bus-passing fatality case

New evidence, which forced an earlier mistrial in a case about a car driver allegedly passing a stopped school bus, striking and killing Hasani Wesley, 11, led to a prosecution plea deal. At issue was whether the bus was stopped, with red lights flashing and stop arm out, when Wesley was hit, but the bus driver’s record and her supervisor conducting an improper investigation significantly weakened the case against the car driver.

Bus driver honored by North Carolina district

Joyce Key was named Driver of the Year at a Bus Drivers Appreciation Banquet last week. Key began driving a school bus 29 years ago and has not had an accident.

EPA honors North Carolina for clean air initiatives

The federal agency selects the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the Division of Air Quality in the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources for a Clean Air Excellence Award in the Transportation Efficiency Innovations category. The program that the EPA recognizes, “Clean School Bus NC: Kids Breathe Here,” is chosen for its impact, innovation and replicability.

Thomas Built aids in school’s performance progress

In 2010, the school bus manufacturer became the primary sponsor for Oak Hill Elementary School in High Point, N.C., as part of an effort to improve the school’s performance. Thomas Built’s funding and volunteer support have helped Oak Hill Elementary become the highest performing Title 1 school in the state, officials say.

Anthony Foxx: School bus safety data are ‘remarkable’

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation attends Friday’s main Love the Bus event in High Point, N.C., and says school bus drivers are “unsung heroes.” In a follow-up blog post on Monday, he says that the data on school transportation indicate that the safest way for students to get to school is on a school bus with a “well-trained driver.” He adds that the data are “even more remarkable when you think about just how many students are riding the bus every day.”

3 steps to bolster safety for school motorcoach trips

North Carolina state pupil transportation director Derek Graham reports on FMCSA's recent Bus Safety Roundtable and shares a three-step approach that schools and school districts can use to improve student safety when chartering motorcoaches for school trips.

Frigid temperatures cancel bus routes, delay school

From coast to coast in the U.S. and in some Canadian provinces, this week’s cold snap has impacted pupil transportation operations. Issues such as thickened fuel and oil and frozen air lines cause districts to cancel bus service and close schools or delay school start times.

Innovative display shows 60 years of school bus seats

Those who work in pupil transportation know that the yellow school bus has changed immensely in the past half century, and that includes the seats. To educate the public on how much school bus seats have changed and safety has increased, a group of pupil transportation people in North Carolina put together a fascinating exhibit. ...

PHOTOS: 60 Years of School Bus Seats

Bus vandalism incident delays service

Thirty-five buses in New Hanover County (N.C.) Schools’ Laney Bus Garage were vandalized over the weekend, delaying many bus pickups on Monday. The estimated cost of damage is between $14,000 and $18,000, including labor costs.