CASTO conference takes on distracted driving

At the California Association of School Transportation Officials’ annual event, several sessions address the dangers of distracted driving, while other sessions cover lessons learned from fatal incidents involving buses, and effective teaching strategies. The vendor show features more than 30 exhibitors.

2013 CASTO Conference

Horlock points to growth in propane business for Blue Bird

With Blue Bird recently netting its biggest-ever order of propane school buses — more than 400 — President and CEO Phil Horlock is ebullient about the fuel’s potential. Here, he discusses alternative fuels, the state of school bus sales and other pertinent topics.

Contractors on school busing now, and what lies ahead

In this roundtable, executives from several school bus companies discuss driver shortage, the potential for growth in the contractor market this year, and what impact legislative issues — at the national and state levels — will have on their business, and on the industry as a whole.

Colorado team wins special-needs roadeo

Myra Walstead and Jesse Hill from Academy School District 20 take first place in the annual National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo. The runner-up teams hail from Georgia and California.

Pupil transporter, alt-fuel advocate Mike McClung passes

McClung, who served in the transportation department at Northside Independent School District in San Antonio from 1977 to 2000, passed away on March 9 at the age of 65. McClung was a longtime supporter of using alternative fuels to power school buses, and he was instrumental in converting the district’s fleet from diesel to propane.

How to make the most of technician training

Tech-to-tech instruction and partnering with neighboring school districts for training exercises provide easy opportunities to develop employees’ skills and knowledge. Having good equipment and taking advantage of resources available through state pupil transportation associations are also worthwhile.

Blue Bird expedites 100 buses for Sandy-damaged fleet

Hundreds of school buses in Atlantic Express' New York City fleet were severely damaged or completely destroyed in the storm. The team at Blue Bird worked relentlessly to fill an initial order of 100 Blue Bird Visions within record time for delivery in December, company officials said.

‘Busing’ Up the Office

Stock Transportation secures Alberta contracts

The Canadian subsidiary of National Express Corp. recently began serving Edmonton Catholic School District 7 and Elk Island Catholic Separate Regional School Division 41. The company operates 40 bus routes for the first district and one bus for the latter district.