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School Transportation News Published by STN Media Group


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The May magazine “Editor’s Take” column by Ryan Gray discussed the use of video on board school buses to further student safety. Read more at stnonline.com/go/may24.


In transportation, we are taught that students face the greatest danger while loading and unloading a school bus. And as bus drivers, we are also taught that our buses are to be secured before the passenger door is opened. Unfortunately, we live in a society that craves convenience and as a result we see procedures eliminated to save a minute or two. A procedure that is commonly abolished is securing buses to let students on and off the bus. Sacrificing safety for route punctuality should never be worth an accident. One measure that can be taken in an attempt to limit this poor habit is to install an alarm system that sounds when the passenger door is opened, and the bus is not secured. This alarm system would be similar to one that sounds when an emergency exit is opened, not interfering with the functionality of the door. Yet it would act as a reminder to follow proper procedures. Furthermore, this system could potentially be integrated into existing transportation software programs to provide feedback when the alarm is engaged, and buses are not secured. I cannot think of any negative implications this door alarm would cause and I would be curious to hear others’ opinions on this potential safety feature. Taylor Neufeld, Training and Safety Officer Elk Island Public Schools in Alberta, Canada


Blue Bird announced in June that lap/shoulder seatbelts,


driver steering wheel airbags and other safety technology will come standard on all its school buses. Blue Bird President Britton Smith discussed the developments on episode 215 of School Transportation Nation podcast. Listen at stnpodcast.com and read the news article at stnonline.com/go/jn.


Listening to the podcast of June 18 about seatbelts on Blue Birds.


I’ve been a driver for 23 years in Massachusetts. Seatbelts are not mandated here. In speaking with other coworkers, we all have the same concerns. We obviously see the pros of having seatbelts. Putting the obvious aside, for accidents, making it easier to keep students in their seats is a plus! But what about getting the students off in a timely manner, while being stalled on train tracks, or bus on fire, tip over into a pond? What if the driver is incapacitated? You have little ones panicking. Has anyone done studies on such scenarios? Seatbelt cutters only work on about five seatbelts before becoming too dull to do any good. While probably less prevalent, such situations do happen. I cross a small bridge several times a day over a local river. I need to know I can get all my students off the bus in case the unthinkable happens. Also, it looks as though only two students to a seat. Now you have districts and bus companies need- ing to order more buses. So, yes, a larger cost. I totally understand the thought process where belts would be safer, but what about in all situations? Facebook/ Sue Irvine Poor


12 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2024


Tel: 310-792-2226 Fax: 310-792-2231 stnonline.com


President & Publisher Tony Corpin


Editor Ryan Gray


Senior Editor Taylor Ekbatani


Social Media Coord. Ruth Ashmore


Technical Editor Robert T. Pudlewski


Editorial Intern Merari Acevedo


Senior Designer Kimber Horne


Graphic Design Maria Molina


Circulation Andrea Dugmore


CONTRIBUTORS: Carol Brzozowski Linda F. Bluth, Ed. D. Debbie Curtis Art Gissendaner Kari Lydersen


Chairman of the Board Bill Paul


Vice President Colette Paul


Client Services/ Digital Media Coord. Claudia Newton


Event Manager Alice Hung Sabedra


Sr. Event Coordinator Amy Yamakawa


Event Coordinator Trynne Lilleskare


Accounting Lisa Douglas


Creative Consultant Vincent Rios Creative, Inc.


Amanda Pampuro Jim Romeo Mark Rowh David Volz Eric Woolson


EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Mike Bullman, South Carolina Department of Education Denny Coughlin, Consultant Michael Dorn, Safe Havens International Ned Einstein, Transportation Alternatives Launi Harden, Consultant Pete Meslin, Consultant Alexandra Robinson, Consultant Michael Shields, Consultant


HOW TO CONTACT STN: School Transportation News welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and are subject to editing for grammar, style and space. Submissions must be legible, include a signature, job title/employer name, valid mailing and/or email address, and telephone number. Unsigned letters or letters signed only with a pseudonym or initials will not be used. Email letters to: ryan@stnmedia.com or send via U.S. mail to:


School Transportation News P.O. Box 789 Redondo Beach, CA 90277


The views and opinions in School Transportation News are those of the editorial staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the members of the Editorial Advisory Board or their organizations. Individuals serving on the board are advisors only and are not responsible for the editorial content.


For permission to reuse materials in this publication, contact STN Editor Ryan Gray, at ryan@stnonline.com, or by phone at 310-792-2226 or by fax at 310-792-2231. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Printed in the U.S.A.


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