School Bus News December 8 2008

Sadly, the New York Post reported Friday that a 14 year old honor student, Jasman Paragas, was killed in Queens by a school bus taking adults to an education class.  Details of the story can be found here.

In Boise, Idaho, a school bus driver was fired for reckless driving.  KVTB.com reported the incident Friday.  Not surprisingly, this was not the first report of reckless driving by the bus driver.  Perhaps this is another case for GPS tracking and further monitoring of bus driver driving habits.

A school bus fire interrupted a jazz band trip.  The StatesmanJournal.com reports that no one was hurt and the driver and others were able to extinguish the fire quickly using on board extinguishers.  It is good to read that the precautions worked well in this case and everyone on board was kept free of injury.

Transport safely,

Steven Van Ooyen

CEO-Track What Matters

SchoolBusRoster.com

Substance Abuse and Bus Drivers

Have you ever heard of a bus driver in your town or district having a substance abuse problem?  In our little suburb, we hear about upper middle class parents with substance abuse problems.  I meet moms and dads with issues.  So, I don't think there is any reason we should expect bus drivers to be any different.  

There is a story in Montgomery County Texas about a problem with a bus driver who was arrested driving under the influence.  The driver was from Conroe.  You can read the story here.

The question is what can districts and parents do to protect students from being on buses where the drivers are under the influence of any substance.  

I don't think it is practical to check each driver.  However, there is the possibility of such a thing.  For instance, Smart Start, Inc. sales, installs, and maintains ignition interlock systems.  These systems make drivers blow into a Breathalyzer before starting the vehicle.  Their breath is tested for blood alcohol content.  If the level is too high, the vehicle will not start.  There is an expense, but is it worth it to ensure that school bus drivers are always sober?  

The technology available today can do wonders for buses, students, and drivers.  Whether it is GPS tracking, student tracking, on board cameras, or Breathalyzers, technology helps make students safer on school buses.  Could your district be the first to install a Breathalyzer?

Take care,

Steven Van Ooyen

CEO - Track What Matters

www.SchoolBusRoster.com

Where Should School Districts Spend Their Money?

In New Hampshire, one of the fundamental issues of student transportation is being debated.  A problem exists where students are being "delivered" late to and from school.  Some progress is made by changing bus routes and assignments.  But, there exists a concern with the consolidation of bus stops to save time.  Fewer bus stops would result in students having to travel further from home in the dark and cold to wait for buses.  Read the story here.  Though there was money originally allocated to purchase a new bus, that money has been revoked due to budget constraints.  

This begs the question of what priorities precede that of purchasing another bus.  This is no judgement on the school district but simply a question.  I can imagine the decisions they have to make.  Do they purchase more technology for classrooms or a bus?  Do they purchase more equipment for athletic programs or a bus?  Do they purchase library books or a bus?  

In other news today...

In Manchester yesterday, a bus was struck by a 69 year old man who did not see the bus "because he was blinded by the sun".  11 students were injured.  None of the injuries was serious.  Read the story here.

I'm always interested in your thoughts.  Where does student transportation rank in your district?

Keep them safe,

Steven Van Ooyen

CEO-Track What Matters

www.SchoolBusRoster.com