While school bus data was not immediately available, the National Safety Council says that between 31 and 43 children die each year in hot vehicles. Above and beyond school district liability and driver employment, this is a reminder that leaving children alone on school buses can have fatal consequences.

School districts aren't the only ones cutting routes. The economy and resulting budget shortfalls are also hitting transit agencies hard.

At back-to-school time, there is something quite mundane that can be easily overlooked when it comes to managing on-board student behavior: book bags.