Paying attention to how transportation costs are administered in a school's budget is extremely important. The Denver Public Schools did not and lost two-thirds of its bus fleet in one year. Advises districts to pay close attention to preventive maintenance practices and outlines important areas to review. (MD)

Careful hiring, monitoring, training, discipline, and safety policies will reduce school automobile and bus accidents. Guidelines are offered for accident reporting, claim handling, and dealing with insurance adjusters. (MLF)

Besides redistricting problems engendered by higher elementary school enrollments (and decreasing secondary enrollments), school administrators face student transport challenges. Acquiring new routes and larger buses could be costly. This article advances computerized systems as the most cost-effective way to optimize routes and manage…

Studies on seat belt usage conducted under contract with governmental organizations or prepared by professional societies, state and local organizations, and transportation specialists have made significant contributions, but none has successfully resolved the issue. (MLF)

A group is actively supporting legislation to require seat belts on only newly manufactured school buses. However, misinformation is being circulated to oppose the installation of seat belts in school buses. If the industry continues to block the installation of seat belts, punitive legislation may be passed. (MLF)

The state of Oklahoma recently published a school bus driver manual on transporting handicapped students. Yearly inservice training sessions are recommended to teach school bus drivers communication skills, use of special equipment for physically handicapped students, and preparation for emergencies. (MLF)

Looks at the problems of school bus transportation in New Jersey at State, county, and local levels. Cost and safety comparisons are made for contract busing and busing in school district owned buses. The job of a new county level transportation coordinator is also discussed. (Author/DN)

A representative of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration weighs advantages and discusses issues associated with installing seat belts in school buses. Federal regulations and research findings are considered. A list of guideline questions for school districts planning to install seat belts is included. (PP)

The time students spend on the bus going to and coming from schools is wasted. The simulated classroom situation of the school bus could be used for educationally related purposes by having prerecorded material programed over a high quality sound system. (Author/MLF)

Suggests specific ways for school districts to control rapidly rising transportation costs and assure many years of quality service. (Author/MLF)

After a 20-year fight, advocates in New Jersey get a mandate for seat belts on school buses, and the controversial law could spark a new national trend. Half of the states have pending legislation on seat belts for school buses. Summarizes the arguments for and against seat belts. (MLF)

A comparison of two Tennessee school districts revealed that the district with in-house pupil transportation spent less than the district that contracted for the service. A sidebar discusses the characteristics of small vs. large contractors for school buses. (MLF)

Alternative fuels are becoming increasingly attractive from environmental, energy independence, and economic perspectives. Addresses the following topics: (1) federal and state legislation; (2) alternative fuels and their attributes; (3) practical experience with alternative-fuel vehicles in pupil transportation; and (4) options for school…

An Ohio school district is taking positive action to improve the public image of student transportation. The program attempts to fulfill parents' special needs. Presentations are made to a variety of community groups regarding the transportation operations, inhouse communications are encouraged, and feedback is welcomed. (MLF)

Discusses management issues surrounding school busing operations within the context of tightening budgets while simultaneously serving the growing number of students with special needs. The debate on bus use for advertising is highlighted. (GR)