The superintendent for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District yesterday helped kick off the transportation department’s Very Important Passenger program, which aims to show the importance student transportation plays in the lives of students and the community.

Sarah Brake, who administered the Heimlich maneuver on a 9-year-old girl who was choking while on a school bus during a morning run, was recognized at a local safety meeting May 16 in front of her peers and the Upper Grand District School Board.

The New York Association for Pupil Transportation is rallying behind several bills that target major safety risks making headlines this year. Last night officials urged members via Facebook to get involved and send letters, emails or faxes to state senators in support of S.5122, S.5028 and S.5503. Other school bus safety bills remain in the Senate Transportation Committee.

The Rose Tree Media School District has received a $499,994 Natural Gas Vehicle Development Program grant to convert its school bus fleet to compressed natural gas (CNG). It will purchase eight new CNG buses and convert 14 buses, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s office.

ESW CleanTech, a diesel emissions control company, recently acquired the assets and product line from Cleaire Advanced Emissions Controls LLC.