Sponsored Association Corner
Why Join a Private-Sector School Bus Trade Association?
WRITTEN BY ROBERT T. PUDLEWSKI M
any school bus operators might say their schedule is demanding enough now, and the thought of adding one more activity to their
busy calendar is unbearable. So why should they try to cram time into their already-hectic schedules to join a school bus industry trade association, either public or private? Tis article will focus on the benefits of why
owner/operations management in the school bus private contracting business, regardless of size, should be joining the private contractor school bus trade association, namely the National School Transportation Association (NSTA). With over 150,000 privately operated school buses in North America, the NSTA school bus trade association is the only non-profit U.S. national trade association available for school bus contractors to join and be part of a collective voice. It has been in existence for over 50 years and represents hundreds of school bus owner-operators. Mr. Blake Krapf, president of Pennsylvania-based school bus operation Krapf Bus, and president of the NSTA board of direc- tors, said networking opportunities with peers, suppliers and government regulators, as well as the chance to collectively influence legislation, are only a few of the greatest benefits of associa- tion membership to a school bus operator. “NSTA lets you know what’s going on in your
industry, helps shape changes, and as a member, you can be a part of the process,” said Krapf. “If you have the resources, and the more you are
Here are the five ways you will boost your school bus contractor business by joining the National School Transportation Association:
1) Tap into knowledge from school bus operators, manufacturers, and suppliers
2) Enhance your reputation
3) Make personal connections, with supplier leadership, regulatory agencies, and peers
4) Increase your purchasing power
5) Gain political influence and expertise
Barry Stock, owner of Canadian school bus contractor Landmark Transportation and a former NSTA president.
26 School Transportation News • FEBRUARY 2018
For more information on how to join the National School Trans- portation Association, send a email to info@
yellowbuses.org.
involved with NSTA as your school bus trade asso- ciation, the better for the industry, your company, the school district you serve, and the safety of the children you transport.” Benefits of NSTA membership typically include:
Opportunities to preside in leadership roles within pupil transportation industry association action committees; subscriptions to newsletters and magazines; access to seminars, conferences, associ- ation events, and meetings with federal regulatory agency representatives; and access to members-only purchasing offers. As a member of NSTA, for example, a school bus contractor has access to all-inclusive member resources and tool kits made available through the NSTA’s various committees and its Legislative Action Center. Members receive discounts on numerous products and services. Additionally, with a nationwide membership of more than 80 firms and a network of hundreds of supplier partners, NSTA offers its members the opportunity to meet and build relationships with fellow professionals, owners and suppliers. “Cook-Illinois has been a member of the NSTA
for over 40 years,” commented John Benish, CEO for the Chicagoland contractor and a member of the NSTA Executive Committee. “Te benefits of this association continue to help us along the way taking our company from 46 buses in 1958, to now a Cor- poration operating 2,225 vehicles each day.” School bus transportation professionals who
have been NSTA members for many years said they believe the greatest benefit of being a member is the networking and camaraderie among their peers and associates. “Your membership shows a business’ initiative, its engagement, and its commitment to staying abreast of current developments in the ever-changing school bus student transportation market,” said Krapf. But to benefit from these opportunities,
you must participate and be an active member within the association. Paying your annual dues isn’t enough to reap the benefits of association membership. You must also make the individual
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