Legal Focus

Often contractors provide interstate transportation or are presented with potential opportunities to provide such services. However, many contractors do not know the requirements to operate interstate legally. One requirement is registering with the Unified Carrier Registration System (“UCR”). Since school bus contractors transporting students to and from school and school-sanctioned activities are required to register with the UCR if they cross state lines, it is important to understand how t...

In 2018, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), wil impose a new requirement on School Districts to report per-pupil expenses for student transportation. But, schools often don't recognize all of the true costs of transportation. Schools evaluating and comparing transportation cost generally consider the costs of fuel and buses, but often miss underlying transportation costs or costs that may be combined into other areas of a school districts budget. When schools understand the true cots ...

A fuel clause is language in a contract which allows the contractor and the district to share the risk of steep increases or decreases in fuel prices. The fuel clause is typically put into place for diesel fuel and gasoline, however, if your vehicles are using alternative fuels such as propane or electric, you may also want to consider a fuel clause for these fuels. Most fuel clauses address the risk of rising fuel costs. But, recent history has seen both increases and decreases in fuel costs. T...

Over the years, people nationwide have become more aware of the negative health and environmental effects of diesel emissions. As a result, federal and state Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) are taking steps to prevent health issues related to diesel emissions. This article provides helpful insights into Pennsylvania's idling restrictions.

“Hold Harmless”, “Defend”, “Indemnify” … what does it all really mean? This article explains contractual indemnity and will help you understand indemnity clauses. That is, who will be responsible for damages or injuries that may arise from performing the work of the contract?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains strigent requirements for drug and alcohol testing in addition employers should have effective written policies about testing and dealing with positive tests when they occur. Test accuracy, prescription medications, and other factors often arise as issues that must be considered and reconciled. This article will review a school bus contracto's responsibilities related to FMCSA Random Drug & Alcohol tests, as well as review h...

2018 will see the effects of many laws and regulations that that were passed in the last year. Following is a brief “year in review” highlighting the federal and state regulations that matter to Pennsylvania’s school bus contractors.