employees are marching into a future they are creating with the hope it will be filled with industry victories. Tis centennial, however, comes with some heavy baggage, and there is a noticeable and understandable limp in their stride. Durham was on the threshold of the greatest milestone in the company’s existence, when it was blindsided not only by the greatest tragedy in its history, but arguably one of the worst for the student transportation industry. On Nov. 21, 2016 a Durham bus with 35 elementary students on board from Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee, crashed, killing six students and sending another 23 to area hospitals. Te bus driver, 24-year- old Johnthony Walker, was off the normal route and traveling an estimated 20 mph over the posted 30 mph speed limit on a winding two-lane road. When he failed to negotiate a turn, the bus struck a mailbox. Walker lost control of the bus and it flipped on its side before colliding, roof-first, into a tree. Te ages of the children on the bus ranged from kindergar- ten through fifth grade. Te resulting, ongoing local and federal investigations, fueled by finger-pointing and denials, revealed a litany of complaints by the driver and against the driver, as well as an alleged lack of administrative oversight in addressing those complaints. Te methods used by Durham to screen, train and monitor its drivers were called into question. Te ripple effect chilled the industry, prompting other contract transportation companies and school districts to look inward. Walker, Durham and the Hamilton County Schools transportation supervisor are named in at least one federal lawsuit, as well as more than a dozen civil lawsuits, accord- ing to local media reports. Walker was also indicted on six counts of vehicular homicide as well as four counts of reckless aggravated assault, one count of reckless driving and one count of using a portable electron- ic device as a school bus driver. He pleaded not guilty and, to date, remains in jail awaiting his next court appearance this month. Suddenly, the magic carpet
D
David Duke, President and CEO
urham School Services is 100 years old this year by way of the original 1917 contract it later acquired in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles. Company officials and
Durham was to ride into its second century was pulled out from under it. But companies don’t stay in business for a hundred years unless they are resilient. Officials from National Express, Durham’s parent company based in Warrenville, Illinois—which also operates Petermann Bus in the U.S. and Stock Transportation in Canada—are attempting to rebound from the Chattanooga tragedy and demonstrate this resiliency. Tey absorbed the blow and got up off the canvas swinging with a plan they see catapulting Durham back into the role of student transportation van- guard and making the company an industry model for safety, management, crisis recovery and customer service. Current President and CEO David Duke used a YouTube video late last year to announce a three-pronged initiative designed to improve service and innovate the process of screen- ing, training and monitoring bus drivers. Te plan also creates an oversight officer position, whose primary function is to hold supervisors accountable for addressing staff and parental complaints in a timely fashion. In a coincidental move that was in the works for the past two years, Matthew Ashley will take over the reins as president and CEO of Durham Bus in September. Duke will retire and transition into the role of CEO emeritus. Ashley is a member of the Board of
Directors for mother company National Express Group plc in the UK. He is listed on the website as executive director and CEO, North American designate. Ashley joined National Express in 2010
as group financial controller. He was promoted to finance director of the UK business division in 2013 before becoming Interim group finance director in 2014. He assumed that role permanently in 2015. In his farewell newsletter column to employees, Duke called Ashley a “veteran of National Express and an excellent leader.” He also heralded a new beginning for the company when he wrote, “Matt’s arrival during such a pivotal time in our compa- ny is fitting in celebrating our past and focusing on our future.” Duke also penned a “100-Year” blog for employees that focused on the company’s record of service and safety in spite of the Chattanooga incident. He thanked them for the collective roles they played. “We have a rich history and a great story to tell. Each of you has contributed to this story in meaningful ways, and for that, I am thankful. It is the fabric of who we are.”
Matthew Ashley, Incoming President & CEO
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