WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 2, 2005) — Every October, school bus operators across North America celebrate School Bus Safety Week and the inherent value of transporting students safely to school in the yellow vehicles. Now the National School Transportation Association along with the rest of the industry is working to amplify the issue to the greater public.

John Corr, president of NSTA, said the association as decided to seek formal federal recognition of the week, usually held in mid to late October. "We want to get some national recognition for all the people involved in the transportation of children, whether they are public or private or in-between," he said. Corr added that NSTA is partnering with the NAPT and NASDPTS in the effort. "This is a no brainer," he said.

At the annual National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) conference in Austin, Texas last month, Executive Director Charlie Gauthier highlighted the industry's efforts on Capitol Hill. As reported on stnonline.com and in the January 2006 magazine issue, the state directors were asked to jump onboard the NSTA initiative by contacting their respective U.S representatives and urging them to co-sponsor a House resolution officially recognizing the event each October.

Congressman John J. "Jimmy" Duncan of Tennessee introduced House Resolution 498 on Oct. 18 and was joined by Reps. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.), Mark Udahl (D-Colo.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Donald Payne (D-N.J.). However, House rules require 50 congressional co-sponsors. NSTA urges members of the pupil transportation industry to write to their congressmen in support of the proposal. Rep. Duncan's office Washington, D.C., can be reached by calling 202/225-5435. Email messages to Rep. Duncan, or any other U.S. representative including those listed above who have already joined Duncan in this effort, via www.house.gov/writerep.

WAUCONDA, Ill. (Dec. 6, 2005) - About 45 miles west of downtown Chicago, Diana Mikelski finds herself in ultra low sulfur diesel heaven. The supervisor of transportation for Wauconda CUSD 118 said all 51 of the school district's buses have been running on ULSD since March and the smell couldn't be better.

"You're expecting diesel smoke, and you get this clean smell," reminiscent of bleach, she said. "We literally had a cloud that would hang over our bus yard; not anymore. The teachers have noticed it more than ever."

First-year funds from a 2004 EPA enforcement action against Toyota, $7,500 in total over four years for Wauconda CUSD, helped the district absorb a current additional cost of 20 cents per gallon.

As part of the four-year Clean Buses for Kids grant, the district also began implementing Fleetguard CCRT Diesel Particulate Filters last summer and finished installations in late fall. The retrofits were provided by Cummins NPower, an exclusive distributor for Cummins products in the upper Midwest. Wauconda must report annually to the EPA on fuel mileage and maintenance data using ULSD and the DPFs, with the first update due this summer. Mikelski said the school district has yet to notice a drop in gas mileage and has had no maintenance issues.

CLINTON, Iowa (Dec. 7, 2005) - Bus drivers in the Clinton Community School District are collecting toys for area children this holiday season, reports CNHI News Service.

The goal of the "Toys For Our Kids" program is to fill a school bus with toys to be distributed by the Salvation Army to children in the Gateway area as part of its Holiday Network program. The bus was scheduled to be parked outside a local Wal-Mart to accept gifts on Dec. 10.

Last year's event reportedly brought in $1,000 worth of toys, and school transportation officials are looking to double the amount this year.

More information on the toy drive can be obtained by contacting tfife@po-2.clinton.k12.ia.us.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Dec. 2, 2005) - The Associated Press reported that gunmen in Haiti who hijacked a school bus released all 14 children onboard and the driver after demanding a ransom.

The children ranged in age from 5 to 17.

Local radio reported that an unspecified amount of money was paid to secure their release, but the chief of the country's anti-kidnapping unit disputed that account saying the gunmen received no money. Instead, police Commissioner Francois Henry Doussous said hostages were released on Dec. 1 because of intense public attention on the case and because police checkpoints prevented the kidnappers from returning with the school bus passengers and driver to their base in the Cite Soleil slum.

No arrests had been made as of this writing.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (Dec. 5, 2005) - Commercial Vehicle Group said its National Seating Division will sign a three-year supply agreement to continue as the standard truck and bus air suspension seat provider for International Truck and Engine Corporation. National Seating currently provides seats for the International medium and heavy duty truck lines and IC bus lines out of their 245,000-square-foot National Seating plant in Vonore, Tenn.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with International Truck and Engine that not only secures our position as a primary seat provider, but also opens the door to new and exciting opportunities for the family of CVG companies. This agreement will continue to strengthen our relationship as a strategic business partner with a recognized leader in the heavy truck and school bus industry," said Mervin Dunn, CVG president and CEO.

Indiana School Districts Turns to GPS
Fort Wayne Community Schools to equip entire fleet of 250 school buses with geographic tracking systems by next school year. Journal Gazette

Texas Bus Driver Faces Manslaughter Charges
A Harris County grand jury indicted a Pasadena ISD school bus driver for manslaughter following the Aug. 18 death of a 9-year-old girl who was struck and killed by the school bus while riding her bike to school. Houston Chronicle

Wisconsin Teen Killed by School Bus
A 13-year-old seventh grader was hit and killed while reportedly running to catch the school bus on Dec. 5. Wausau Daily Herald

Yellow School Buses Pick Up Steam in England
A high school reports that just two new American school buses will reduce 15,000 passenger vehicles on local roads. Rochdale Observer