Carey Paster joins National Express Corp.

The school bus contracting veteran has been appointed to the newly created role of vice president of mergers and acquisitions, where he will be responsible for furthering National Express’ presence in the passenger transportation market. Paster previously held roles with FirstGroup America and First Student.

National Express names chief operating officer

The school bus contracting company appoints Charlie Bruce to the newly created role, where he will be responsible for overseeing all North American operations. Bruce most recently served as the chief operating officer for First Student Inc.

Bus driver praised for actions during shooting

Police say the driver told the students on his bus to get down out of the line of fire, he was able to leave the scene of the incident and he then called dispatchers to notify police. Although one bullet reportedly hit the bus, no one was injured.

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.

Heroes in school transportation 2012

In the second edition of this series, we highlight school bus drivers who saved lives with their quick thinking and vital skills. When danger arose, their training — and their instincts — came through.

First Student subsidiary buys Quebec bus company

With the $8.5 million deal, Autobus Transco begins operating Transport St. Leonard's 150 schools buses. As part of the transition, the experienced drivers will participate in 20 hours of classroom and behind-the-wheel training.

Snapshots — Fall 2011/Winter 2012

Bus company requests dismissal of lawsuit from former driver

The contractor is being sued by Ken Webber, who was fired for refusing to take a Confederate flag with the word "redneck" on it off of his pickup truck, which was parked in a lot owned by a school district that the contractor serves. The company says that Webber considered the flag to be an expression of his identity and lifestyle, and that therefore, his flag is not constitutionally protected speech because its message is not a matter of public concern.

Calif. DOE to offer transportation administration program

The course, scheduled for Jan. 9-13, is designed to provide guidance to first-time transportation administrators. Topics to be covered include certification of drivers, California Highway Patrol regulations and history, special-education and homeless student transportation, and school bus stops.

Who’s behind the wheel?: optimizing driver background checks

Officials say it is important to conduct both federal and state checks, as well as monitor applicants’ driving records. Pupil transporters discuss their operations’ hiring policies and procedures, which include contacting previous employers, and also share suggestions on ways the industry could protect itself against undesirable candidates who move from state to state.