COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 29, 2008) — Beginning in 2002, the state has set aside the first Monday in May as "School Bus Driver Appreciation Day."

"This is our way of joining together across Ohio to honor the great work that our school bus professionals do daily," said State Pupil Transportation Director Pete Japikse. "They travel 1,000,000 miles daily transporting 1,000,000 children from home to school and then back home again."

The day highlights important duty that school bus drivers serve by safely transporting children in the state and across the nation.

"We are very proud of these folks, and the incredible caring and safety conscious efforts that they give to keeping our children safe in their daily travels," added Japikse.