Along for the Ride

School buses on screen and after retirement

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:31:02 GMT

By Kelly Roher

Outside of work, I’m often reminded of how school buses are an integral part of our culture. I recently saw a preview for “The Dark Knight Rises,” which included a scene with a school bus. This is one of many films where yellow buses play a role. They also remain useful after they’re retired, further exemplifying ...

Former bus safety champion goes yellow in wedding

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:50:22 GMT

By Thomas McMahon

For Kyle Alderson, having a school bus involved in his wedding wasn't just a fun and eye-catching way to get from the ceremony to the reception — it was also a meaningful link to his efforts for school bus safety in his youth.

The challenges of bus driver training

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:58:08 GMT

By Kelly Roher

I read an interesting story recently that reported on an impending partnership for school bus driver training between an Augusta, Ga.-based school district and a local technical college. One of the objectives of the course is to help create a more qualified applicant pool. Around that time, I also spoke with a driver trainer at another operation, who shared with me some of the challenges she faces in instructing bus drivers. One thing she said was that ...

Driver training stays strong in tough times

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:16:20 GMT

By Thomas McMahon

About three-fourths of respondents to a recent survey said that no training-related budget cuts were made at their operation this school year. That finding and others in SBF's new Driver Training Survey suggest that the industry's commitment to thorough instruction of school bus drivers remains strong — even in a time of widespread budget shortfalls. ...

Rebel with a cause

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:15:49 GMT

By Thomas McMahon

As I researched former school transportation leader Joe Mirabella to write an article on him after his untimely death, I got the sense that he was committed to doing what he felt was right — even if that meant going against the grain. ...

Tips for an outstanding maintenance operation

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:22:46 GMT

By Kelly Roher

In the March 2012 issue of SBF, I wrote an article wherein pupil transportation professionals at operations shared with me their thoughts on what helps keep school buses in good operating condition. The people I interviewed offered many more tips, which I'll share with you here.

Insight on transporting students with special needs

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:52:15 GMT

By Kelly Roher

Providing school bus service can be challenging, but transporting students with special needs can present a wide range of additional challenges. I discovered this when I was working on our Special-Needs Survey earlier this year. But it seems to me that serving these students would also be rewarding. ...

Kids tell it like it is

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:20:29 GMT

By Thomas McMahon

As I did after the previous edition of the Children's Choice contest, I put together a collection of amusing and moving comments from the kids' essays. They provide a clear picture of how much school bus drivers mean to their passengers — and how dedicated the drivers are to the kids' well-being. ...

Frightening experiences on the job

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:58:09 GMT

By Kelly Roher

I was driving to San Diego recently with my boyfriend’s aunt when a vehicle in the carpool lane of the freeway spun out of control and entered our lane, almost hitting us. The near-accident got me thinking about frightening experiences — specifically, those that have occurred in your work environment. As you know ...

The 10 Commandments for Pupil Transportation

SchoolBusFleet Magazine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:08:23 GMT

By Thomas McMahon

Transportation Supervisor Louk Markham wanted something to help his employees work better as a team. He came up with a list of "commandments" — ranging from licensing requirements to bus inspections to treatment of others — and shared them with his 22 drivers ...