SPECIAL REPORT
Te Ministry of Transport promised aggres- sive prosecution, but the systemic pressures on minibus operators are much larger. Un- less the government can facilitate better market regulations and a higher standard of living for minibus drivers, they will continue to rush and drive unsafely for their own eco- nomic survival. Walking in urban areas is often unsafe for
Protesting Chilean medical students hold up a bus cutout reading “Get on the bus of the indebted” as an actual Transantiago bus passes behind them.
journeys to school in South Africa. In August 2010, a minibus full of school children drove around lowered rail crossing gates and was struck by a train. Nine riders were killed, and the public was outraged. Te mother of one survivor fumed, “Well, for (the driver’s) sake I really hope he don’t [sic] make it, because I believe he went through the beams when the beams were down, and I mean how ir- responsible can you be when we, as parents, trust him to get our kids safely to school.”
children due to poor pedestrian facilities. In rural districts, distances can be prohibi- tively lengthy. A promising alternative is to help students ride bicycles to school. Shova Kalula is a government-sponsored program designed to provide bikes to young learners with mixed results (see this video by anoth- er Watson Fellow:
www.stnonline.com/ go/840), but combined governmental and nonprofit efforts to promote bicycling are starting to make an impact. Youth in Chile are also demonstrating for
improved school transportation and higher government subsidies. In Santiago, student passes currently allow for discounted travel on the public buses and metro. High school
students have joined the massive strikes and sit-ins organized by national councils of university students, demanding that high school youth be able to use a more signifi- cantly discounted pass, even during school vacations. With approximately 150 high schools on strike, the student movement has successfully pressured the government into pledging to improve affordability for young transit users. Across all of the cultures I experienced,
it was clear that mobility, especially for young learners, remains a pressing is- sue. For decades, American school buses have enabled a particular type of mobil- ity in the developing world, but their time seems to be drawing to a close. Te plan- ners, policymakers, and regular passengers I met in the past year are pushing forward with new mobility options and advocat- ing for safer, more comfortable and more efficient transportation. ■
Stewart is a graduate of Swarthmore Col- lege and is currently studying at MIT.
7 North Street
Outsourcing Pupil Transportation Makes Sense for School Districts Setting the Standard for Safety
SAFETY
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Staten Island, NY 10302
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Pupil Transportation is a complex business that includes many aspects such as routing, vehicle maintenance, school bell time management, capital investment, operator training and many other specialties. But when you get right down to it, the two most important reasons school districts and private school systems outsource their student transportation are safety and savings. By far, according to independent research, the safest way for children to get to and from school is on yellow school buses. It’s safer than walking, riding a bike, public transportation, taxis and even being dropped off and picked up by a parent. Independent research also tells us that outsourcing can save school districts 10% or more in their transportation costs.
EXPERIENCE
Our fleets have access to and can be equipped with GreenRoadTM
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high tech personalized electronic driving coach system combined with GPS that provides feedback to help measure, improve and sustain safe and fuel-efficient driving decisions. Drivers and management are provided web-based performance reports and analysis that empower drivers to reduce crashes, improve fuel economy and reduce costs.
By analyzing your current routes, bus times and capacities, mainte- nance schedules and other important operational aspects, Atlantic Express can create efficient systems and transportation solutions that will save your school district money. By paying a fixed annual price for your student transportation needs, there are never any budget short- falls or unexpected costs.
38 School Transportation News Magazine October 2011
Atlantic Express is one of the largest providers of school bus transporta- tion in North America with over 40 years of experience. Our reputation for unmatched standards in safety, quality and reliability make Atlantic Express the transportation provider of choice for some of the nation’s largest and most complex school districts, as well as small school dis- tricts and private schools.
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