N.Y. toughens restrictions on bus driver applicants

The legislation, signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday, adds to the list of convictions that would either permanently disqualify a school bus driver applicant or disqualify the candidate for five years. Crimes for which a conviction would ban a person from becoming a bus driver include aggravated manslaughter in the first or second degree and sexual abuse in the first degree.

Analysis finds buses speeding in school zones

Automated speed cameras are installed in school zones in Baltimore, and $40 tickets are issued to vehicles recorded driving at least 12 mph over the speed limit. The Baltimore Sun reports that county public school buses have triggered the cameras more than 100 times in the past two years, privately owned buses have received at least 800 citations and city-owned buses have accumulated more than 50.

TV spot focuses on CNG school buses

Long-running public television program MotorWeek does a segment on Pennsylvania's Lower Merion School District, which has close to half of its 114 buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG). The district plans to go all-CNG when more fueling stations are available.

A-Z Bus Sales awarded LAUSD contract

Los Angeles district will replace its 20-plus-year-old diesel buses with CNG Blue Bird buses purchased through A-Z Bus Sales. The dealer delivered more than 235 propane buses to LAUSD and four of its contracted service providers in the past year.

D.C. Event to Explore School Transportation Challenges

Efficiency, environmental impact, and school choice will be among the pupil transportation topics discussed at a Bellwether Education Partners event in the nation’s capital next week.

The New Lives of Old School Buses

Autopsy: Bus driver did not suffer medical event in crash with train

Although Max Danner had a significant heart condition, that did not cause the fatal school bus-freight train collision near Larimore, North Dakota, officials said.

Woman sentenced for fatal bus-passing accident

Shirley McManners is sentenced to one year in prison and 14 years of probation for the December accident in which she struck and killed 17-year-old Brandy Hart after she exited her school bus. McManners pled guilty last month to a charge of vehicular homicide and apologized to Hart’s family.

Streamlining Spec’ing to Get the Best Bus Fit

Gathering a team of staff members and coming up with a list of must-have items, as well as staying familiar with FMVSS and state regulations, can help save time and effort when working with the dealer to build the optimal bus for your operation.