Did you know...

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that school buses are the safest vehicles on America?s highways.
• School buses comply with more Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) than any other vehicle on the road.
• School bus drivers are highly trained professionals who are subject to random drug and alcohol testing and criminal history background checks.

On a typical school day, our transportation system:

• Transports about 5,000 public and non-public students
• Transports about 100 special needs students
• Operates about 2,000 route miles
• Consumes over 300 gallons of fuel
• Services 8 elementary, 3 middle, 2 high schools in Portage
• Services numerous special program sites in the county

Our 60 bus fleet:

• Takes over 1,300 educational and athletic trips annually
• Are used for multiple schools each morning and afternoon to maximize efficiency
  

• Is typically 38 feet long, 8 feet wide, 10 feet high and 32,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating
  

• Has passed annual inspections by the State Police with no defects 6 years in a row

Students receive:

• Safe riding instructions from drivers
• Bus Safety Handbooks
• School bus evacuation drills conducted three times annually

All of our professionally trained & certified school bus driving staff are required to:

• Pass written and drive tests to obtain a Commercial Drivers License for school buses
• Pass a physical exam annually
• Pass drug and alcohol tests during employment
• Pass drivers license and criminal background investigations
• Receive at least 20 hours of “behind-the-wheel” training
• Receive at least 20 hours of beginning classroom training
• Receive a minimum of 6 hours Continuing Education every two years
• Attend regular Transportation Department safety meetings
• Perform a thorough inspection of their buses a number of times each day

Additional Staff Information:

• Professionally trained Bus Driver Trainers and office staff
• Professionally trained and licensed Service Technicians
• Licensed and certified Transportation Manager

For national information on pupil transportation visit

http://www.schoolbusinfo.org.