News & Insights

Transportation contractors are tasked with the duty to get students to school safely. It is not uncommon for a transportation contractor to discover, either during the interview process with an applicant or through discussion with an employee, that the applicant or employee has a disability. Transportation contractors may immediately wonder how, if at all, the disability could affect the ability to provide safe transportation. But as transportation contractors know, a disability does not automat...

Occasionally, school transportation contractors may encounter a situation where either a student or driver requires supplemental oxygen therapy, requiring the driver or student to use a portable oxygen tank. As portable oxygen tanks store oxygen under pressure, transportation contractors that encounter this issue may question the legality and safety of allowing this on the vehicle. Interestingly, no federal or state law explicitly addresses oxygen tanks on school buses; however, regulations on t...

Federal enforcement of English language proficiency (“ELP”) requirements for commercial drivers has changed significantly over the past year. Although the requirement for commercial drivers to be proficient in English is longstanding under applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) driver qualification regulations, recent FMCSA enforcement guidance provides that drivers who fail ELP can be placed out-of-service during a covered roadside inspection. Now, FMCSA is proposi...

While many Contractors understand the importance of safety in their operations, few may actually be maximizing the benefits of Company safety policies and procedures. Did you know that an employer with a Certified Workplace Safety Committee is eligible to receive a five percent (5%) discount on their Workers' Compensation Insurance premium annually? Soliciting the assistance of your staff and developing a Certified Safety Committee will help you identify and correct additional risks you may ...

The beginning of the school year is an appropriate time for School Bus Contractors to review post-trip inspection procedures with drivers and aides. Pennsylvania law does not expressly prescribe a specific post-trip walkthrough or child-check procedure on the bus; however, federal law imposes requirements for post-trip inspections of a school bus. In any case, the Contractor’s written policy, training, documentation, and actual practice are especially important.

The first weeks of school often bring complaints as students, drivers, aides, and school personnel adjust to new routes and schedules. A parent may report unsafe driving, inappropriate language, failure to follow student transportation instructions, or some other interaction on the bus. As with any complaint received by the Contractor, it is important to respond promptly; however, Contractors should be mindful to review all facts and fully investigate the complaint before responding.

Insurance requirements for school bus contractors differ from state to state. While some states have specific requirements for school buses, other states only have requirements if some other type of charter transportation is required. These state requirements may also vary depending on the type of vehicle used, such as a school bus or school van. School transportation contractors should be aware that, in certain instances, federal insurance requirements may also apply. Whether or not federal ins...