NSTA Basks in Recent Successes, Looks to Future

WASHINGTON , D.C. - "We want to become more visible," said John Corr, the new president of the National School Transportation Association at the 41 st Annual Convention, held July 17-20.

Corr discussed the coalitions contractors are developing with NAPT and NASDPTS. He also outlined several initiatives the association has in the works for the coming years. Among them: a new partnership with Wright Express, a company that specializes in fleet fueling. The company is headed by former Laidlaw CEO John Grainer.

"There are various costs that we think we can save on," Corr said.

He stressed that "improved communication" is important. "We are trying to realign and make everyone (in the industry) part of the process. We want to make sure everyone is aware of where (NSTA) is headed including suppliers, our membership and staff."

Corr noted the association is "financially stronger now than ever." He introduced Donny Fowler, a contactor from Missouri , as the association's new secretary-treasurer. Fowler was appointed to replace Dennis Hammell, a New Jersey contactor and NSTA Region 4 representative who passed away at the National Congress on School Transportation in May.

He also introduced Ann Henley, the association's new marketing specialist. She described four new member benefits in association with the United Motor Coach Association: a new worker's comp program, new health insurance program, a fuel savings program, and a fuel management program.

The association unveiled its new website, www.yellowbuses.org, during the conference, and offered its members several new industry resources.

Krapf Says Goodbye

With just days left in his two-year term, Dale Krapf , NSTA past-president reviewed some of the accomplishments of the association during his term in office.

"We've formed new partnerships with the United Motor Coach Association," he said, "and between the 3N's - NAPT, NASDPTS and NSTA. In addition we developed an ad hoc coalition among the 3 P's (the presidents of the three major school bus associations), and the Clean School Bus Coalition and Private Bus Coalition."

"In the Private Bus Coalition we are fighting the American Public Transportation Association on the charter bus rules, and protecting activity trips for contractors," he said. "In the Clean School Bus Coalition we are promoting equal access for contractors for federal funding."

Krapf said the partnership with the UMA allowed NSTA to consolidate its resources, and share member benefits with motorcoach operators. Many school bus contractors are also in the private, for-hire motorcoach business. Among the member benefits stemming from the NSTA/UMA partnership are 'fuel savings, insurance savings and worker comp savings," he said.

The 3N partnership has been meeting for 18 months under the auspices of the IC Corporation. It is comprised of the presidents of the three associations, the executive director of each association, and two individuals from the IC Corporation.

Matters of Trust

"Initially there were some trust issues, but we've found lots of common concerns," said Krapf. "Through regular communications we developed a cooperative approach to industry issues." He cited agreements the 3Ns reached on forming a joint security task force, helping develop the school bus watch program and the clean school bus initiative.

Krapf noted the 3Ps have issued several joint statements on security on school buses, occupant protection issues and the highway watch program. These types of joint statements were unheard of the pupil transportation industry prior to about 18 months ago.

Krapf cited as a "victory" the association's work on the Bush Administration's JOBS bill. "It would have ended accelerated depreciation for school bus contractors," he said.

Another victory according to Krapf was the "Dear Colleague" letter from FTA Administrator Jennifer Dorn to all federally funded public mass transit agencies. The letter, and an accompanying brochure, clarified the rules for transit authorities competing with school bus operations. "Plus, it provides ammunition for (legal) complaints if we have to go that route," he added.

Work in Progress

Krapf cited several initiatives that were launched during his tenure that are still underway. Among them tax incentives for new or retrofit clean school buses, use of dyed fuel to ensure contractors qualify for tax-exempt fuel procurement, occupant protection in support of NHTSA's position on the subject, the S endorsement testing requirement, and electronic on-board recorders. 'The FMCSA wants them on all buses. NSTA asked for a school bus exemption as only four percent of our buses go interstate," said Krapf.

He also cited the "Get Up & Advocate" grass roots campaign in support of NSTA's various legislative initiatives. The association wants to recruit 6,000 individuals nationwide to support its efforts.

"We've got the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus, they are in the right seats and the bus is headed in the right direction," he said.

Drive to Succeed

Representatives from Pennsylvania , Kansas and Virginia stood out above over 100 entrants in this year's NSTA International Driver Competition, held July 16 and 17 in the RFK Stadium parking lot.

Contestants were tested on such skills as taking a written exam, parallel parking, driving a straight line, student loading/unloading, navigating a railroad crossing, and backing up in an alley.

Larry Hannon of Centennial School District in Warminster , Penn. , won the Conventional division with 605 points out of 700 possible. Russell Altizer of Montgomery County ( Va. ) Public Schools edged Jeremy Clark of Accomack County ( Va. ) Public Schools for second place, 557 to 555.

In the Small Bus division, Bob Hutson of Durham School Services in Kansas took home first place with 545 points. Ralph Shier of Laidlaw Education Services in Ontario finished second with 418 points and Jaye Jaye Knickelbein of the Trigg County ( Ky. ) Board of Education was third with 407 points.

Osgood Simpkins placed Montgomery County , Va. , once again as he won the Transit division with 586 points. Diana Wilkowski of Olympia ( Wash. ) School District was second with 570 points and Dana Opp of Carman-Ainsworth , Mich. , was third with 561 points.