Taking Capitol Hill On May 5, NSTA members heard
directly from several congressional representatives to learn more about the Washington, D.C., take on the issues affecting the school transpor- tation industry and the progress of legislation affecting the yellow school bus industry. Members of Congress presenting to the group included:
Rep. John Mica (R-FL) chair of the
House Transportation and Infrastruc- ture Committee; Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), chair of the House Railroads Subcommittee, House Transporta- tion and Infrastructure Committee and chief sponsor of the Bus Uniform Standards and Enhanced Safety Act; Rep. Jimmy Duncan (R-TN), chair of the Highways and Transit Subcom- mittee, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA), chair of the House Transportation Appropriations
Sub-
committee; Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), member of the House Appropriations Committee; Sen. Tom Carper (D- DE), chair of the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, Senate Environment and Public Works Com- mittee and co-sponsor of the Diesel Emission Reduction Act; Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), member of the House Rules Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and an elected member of the Leadership Committee; Rep John Shimkus (R-IL), chair of the House Environment and Economy Subcommitte and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Also addressing the group were
Emily Foster of Cummins Inc., and Meghan Higgins of the Emission Con- trol Technology Association. Both were representing the DERA Coali- tion. Also participating in the NSTA Capitol Hill Fly-In were representa- tives from the National Association of State Directors for Pupil Transpor- tation and the American School Bus Council.
What is your bus being faced with this year?
ensuring the continued availability of home-to-school transportation. Te Diesel Emission Reduction Act
has provided approximately $500 million over eight years for diesel emission retro- fits and bus replacements. Tis program helped to introduce cleaner technology and buses to school transportation op- erations at a fraction of the typical cost. NSTA members encouraged the legisla- tors to continue their support for the DERA program and to fund it at $50 mil- lion for Fiscal Year 2012.
GROWING YELLOW SCHOOL BUS RIDERSHIP Te Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uni-
form Protection (STANDUP) Act was introduced in both chambers of Con- gress in March, and NSTA members strongly encouraged support for the bill. It sets minimum standards for licensing teen drivers, and most importantly, re- quires a passenger restriction during the
learner permit and intermediate stages. Finally, NSTA members thanked the
congressional members for their con- tinued support of the American School Bus Council’s drive for a federally funded public awareness campaign promoting the benefits of the yellow school bus. Several NSTA members invited their con- gressional representatives and senators to participate in any associated events back in their local districts. NSTA board member John Benish,
president of Chicago-based Cook-Illinois said, “I have been to many NSTA meet- ings over the years, but I really thought our meetings this year were very well done. Tis kind of event is what NSTA is all about.” ■
Tis article was produced in conjunction with a on-site report by representatives from the National School Transportation Association in Washington, D.C.
• Computerized cutting provides repeatability for the best fit and finish in the industry.
• Large distribution network. • Passenger securement systems.
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www.besi-inc.com www.stnonline.com 19
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