Policy
Nothing can be more public than public school transportation. While the yellow school bus is an American icon that represents the safety and security of public education, there are significant public policy issues that concern the industry.
Ensuring Access to Safe Transportation and Education
School buses are school-readiness vehicles, providing access to education every American child deserves. School buses provide free access to an education for millions of children in America by providing healthy, safe and secure transportation to schools, so they arrive at school ready to learn. When school districts must choose between books and buses, books usually win – and the losers of that battle are not the buses but the children.
The costs in cutting school transportation are not counted in dollars, but in student lives. Every child who is not riding the school bus is taking a mode of transportation that is less safe and secure.
Alternate Means of Transportation
For monetary or convenience’ sake, many districts – particularly those in urban areas – work with local mass transit to transport children to and from school. While this method may result in savings for the district, it comes at a risk for students. Transit buses and trains do not offer the protections of a secure school transportation system; students who use mass transit to get to and from school are in an uncontrolled environment, subject to the potential dangers inherent in large, indiscriminate public gatherings. They are exposed to greater traffic risks as they walk to and from public bus stops, and they are not protected by the safety zone created by the school bus’ flashing lights and motorist stop laws as they enter and exit.
Maintaining a Secure School Transportation System
Since September 11, 2001, the nation has concerned itself with transportation security issues. The school bus industry is no different – because school buses are the largest mass transit operation in the country, and transport our most precious cargo, safety and security is paramount. Congress included school bus operations in the Patriot Act, passed in 2001, making it a crime to attack a school bus driver or a school bus facility. But without specific funding to increase security, school bus operations are vulnerable. The school bus industry has increased training and security measures, but federal funding is needed to ensure that our children are as safe as possible.
Promoting Clean-Air Solutions
Like all mass transit, school buses take a number of cars off the roads. Not only does this reduction in traffic reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we emit into the atmosphere, it relieves congestion in reduces the amount of cars around school walking zones, where our children are most vulnerable. The school bus industry recognizes its responsibility to safeguard the health of students, drivers and others in the community. The industry is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accelerate the move to clean diesel school buses, and is taking the lead in incorporating new, cleaner engine technologies, such as natural-gas and electric hybrid, to further reduce pollution.