The recommendations of standards for school buses and their operation has been a major purpose of all the National Conferences on School Transportation since the first one in 1939. Safety and economy have served as guideposts for making decisions. Highlights from each of the conferences are cited. (MLF)

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended retiring as unsafe all school buses made before April 1, 1977. Buses built after that date--called "poststandard buses"--are likely to be in great demand for safety, economic, and legal reasons. (MLF)

Presents the history, objectives, and guiding principles for the 12th National Standards Conference on School Transportation to be held in 1995. (MLF)

Standardized bus schedules allow a more efficient use of buses and drivers. Cites experiences of districts using the four-bell schedule where high schools open first, followed by middle schools, and then elementary schools with two opening times. A computer routing system can be used to route buses more efficiently and draw school attendance…

Describes some basic maintenance and proper preparations for changing weather that can help keep school bus operations moving. Provides advice on diesel engine usage that can lengthen engine life and maintain all weather performance is provided. (GR)

Presents observations from the director of the National Association of Pupil Transportation concerning school bus safety, seat belts, and the state of the $15-billion school transportation industry. Increasing student use of bus transportation and delivering the school bus safety message to all concerned are addressed. (GR)

Describes potential health risks of diesel exhaust fumes to students riding school buses. Suggests measures to reduce exposure. (PKP)

Public schools are responsible for providing a safe, structured environment that is conducive to learning. This requirement encompasses a variety of settings, including school bus transportation. However, limited research exists to indicate best practices for designing and implementing behavior programs for school bus transportation. The…

This article reports findings from a study of the perceptions of parents about the experience of long bus rides on their children. Twenty-six parents, whose homes were located on the longest bus route in a rural Midwestern school district, provided interviews regarding the experiences of a total of 37 students. In the analysis of the interview…

This literature review addresses three specific safety issues: installing seat belts in new buses, retrofitting existing buses with seat belts, and comparing seat belts with other safety features. While inconclusive evidence is provided concerning the first issue, studies do suggest retiring older buses and possibly equipping buses that meet PL…

Improvements in school bus construction and driver training have increased passenger safety significantly. Seat belts would be expensive to install and maintain and would decrease seating space; their use would be very difficult to enforce; and research has not clearly shown whether they add to or decrease bus safety. (PGD)

Financing enables school districts to operate new buses when funds for outright purchase are not available. This article examines reasons, sources, and pitfalls of school bus financing. (MLF)

In 1981 the transportation costs of an Ohio school district had increased 63 percent over a four-year period. A cost-cutting program was initiated that year, and by 1984 transportation cost increases had been cut to one percent. Includes a list of seven factors that contributed to the cost-cutting program. (MD)

This article reviews the history of Maryland's controversial requirement that school buses use single-piece wheel rims. The author suggests precautions for using explosion-prone multipiece rims. (MCG)

To assist special students, the school bus driver aide requires responsibility and endurance. It takes individuals who are willing to love and give of themselves. Information gathered from drivers, aides, and supervisors covers a range of duties to care for various types of disabilities. (CM)