SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 Message

ontario school bus association

SCHOOLNOVEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 23 BUS

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS – TRUE PROFESSIONALS

Messages from the Ministers of Education and Transportation SAFELY CROSSING THE TRACKS THE DRIVE TO LEAD OTHERS Conquering Distractions XXX xxx fp CMYK placement instructions p. 2

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ontario school bus association For school councils, home and school associations, trustees, administrators contents and providers of student transportation services. 5 Message from Leslie Cross, 14 Safely Crossing the Tracks The Ontario School Bus Association OSBA President (OSBA) is a non-profit association providing advocacy and education services for the 16 ACET Trains for First Aid… owners of school bus fleets, school boards/ 6 OSBA Directors 2014-2015 and Confidence transportation consortia and supplier/ manufacturer companies across Ontario for over 60 years. Membership is voluntary; our 8 Messages from the Minister of 18 Conquering Distractions: Mind on the Board of Directors are all volunteers elected by their peers. Transportation and the Minister Driving, Eyes on the Road and Hands of Education on the Wheel MISSION, VISION & VALUES Every one of the 825,000 children aboard an Ontario school bus deserves to arrive School Bus Drivers – Twinkle Twinkle Little Light…Rooftop at school safe, secure, on time and ready 10 20 to learn. True Professionals Strobe Lights on School Buses OSBA Mission To support and enhance the success of 12 Rural Consortia Takes Proactive 21 Be Seen, Be Safe Program our members in the competitive world of Approach with Enroute school busing. Evacuation Drill 22 The Drive to Lead Others OSBA Vision An economically healthy and sustainable industry, safely and reliably serving the 13 Industry Leader – Training Video 24 Education, Information and growing needs of student transportation for Special Needs Passengers Networking Opportunities that Benefit in Ontario. OSBA Values Evacuation the School Bus Industry • Contribute to student success • Focus on cost effective and 26 Index to Advertisers efficient operations • Commit to continuous improvement • Embrace diversity in our workplaces • Make a significant contribution to a greener Ontario • Anticipate and influence the future shape of the school bus industry

Published annually by: Published for: Editor: Laurie J. Blake Ontario School Bus Association Group Publisher: Angela Caroyannis 3401 Wolfedale Road, Project Manager: Kim Davies Mississauga, ON L5C 1V8 Sales Manager: Bill McDougall 1630 Ness Avenue, Suite 300 Tel: (416) 695-9965 Fax: (416) 695-9977 Advertising Director: Maria Antonation Winnipeg, MB R3J 3X1 Email: [email protected] Advertising Sales: Bill Biber, Austen Hoey, Tel: (800) 665-2456 www.osba.on.ca Wayne Jury, Michael McDonald, Maya Wisher Fax: (204) 947-2047 Marketing: Katie Doerksen www.naylor.com Layout & Design: Barry Senyk Association Director: Michele O’Bright Magazine Coordinator: Donna Shepherd ©2014 Naylor (Canada) Inc. Safety & Legislation Consultant: Publication Agreement All rights reserved. The contents of this publication David Carroll Number: 40064978 may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in Government Relations Consultant: PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2014/ part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Richard Donaldson SBU-A0014/4198

4 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 Message

Message from Leslie Cross President, Ontario School Bus Association (OSBA) s I sit down to write this message, it is now the end of second week of the 2014-2015 school year. Approximately 825,000 students have been transported safely to and from school for 9 days in row. In a short two weeks, the A dedicated professionals who accept the tremendous responsibility for our children’s safety have had more than 15 million opportunities to make a difference in a family’s life. By the end of this school year, Ontario’s professional school bus drivers will have had over 350 million personal interactions with our children. Getting it wrong just once can have a devastating impact on a child, a family, and a community. The dedicated women and men who make up the Ontario school bus industry are committed to getting it right every time.

For more than 60 years the school bus industry has been In more recent years, school boards were brought part of ongoing change and evolution. New technology together to form Transportation Consortia in order to has provided us with safer buses. Buses with stop arms, amalgamate transportation requirements, maximize effi- warning lights, crossing gates, stop arm cameras, video ciencies and minimize costs for two or more school boards surveillance cameras, GPS tracking systems, motion detec- in one geographic region. Through these amalgamations, tors and child check systems. The industry has advanced in Consortia did an excellent job of sharing the availability of driver training programs, driver licence checks, criminal one bus to service two or more boards. They successfully records vetting, medical records screening and ongoing reduced the number of vehicles needed, reducing costs driver evaluations. All of these safety initiatives have for taxpayers and reducing our environmental footprint. increased the cost of service, but who would argue that A win-win for all Ontarians. these were not valuable enhancements for the sole purpose In 2010, the Ontario provincial government intro- of protecting the safety of our children? duced The Broader Public Sector Accountability Act In Ontario, we have an enviable record when it comes (BPSAA). This change to the law required all publicly to student transportation safety, and we are proud of that funded expenditures by public entities, such as school record. To get it right 100% of the time “takes a village”. In boards/transportation consortia, which exceed $100,000, order to achieve the level of safe, reliable, on-time service be competitively procured. Industry stakeholders partici- upon which parents can depend, we rely on our front-line pated in numerous consultations, studies and pilot projects drivers, driver trainers, safety supervisors, dispatchers, to prepare the industry for this fundamental change. In mechanics, route planners, managers, Consortia staff, light of this significant shift towards greater account- school boards, principals, teachers, administrators, trustees, ability and transparency, a number of “growing pains” Ministries of Transportation and Education. All of these have been encountered across the industry with some people share one incredible quality – their dedication to companies deciding to exit the industry or to no longer continuously improving safety. conduct business in certain regions. Our duty of care and safety remains the cornerstone Notwithstanding this enormous paradigm shift, school of transporting children to school each day. In recent boards have a long history of working hand-in-hand with years a lot of time and energy has been invested into how school bus operators to design and deliver routes that trans- school bus services are purchased in Ontario. Historically, port students to school safety and ready to learn. OSBA’s school bus operators negotiated a common contract with mandate continues to work towards building partnerships local school boards. Operators and the business manag- with all school boards/transportation consortia to ensure ers from the school boards worked together to understand that student safety remains at the top of all agendas. the costs associated with providing the services that the The process of procuring school bus transportation is district required. The costs associated with ongoing safety not about low cost, at any cost. It is paramount to always enhancements, including professional driver development ensure efficiency and effectiveness; however, all stake- and the ongoing general costs for buses, wages and fuel holders including the Provincial government, Ministry of were well understood and negotiated collectively. Education, school boards, transportation consortia and

SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 5 OSBA DIRECTORS 2014-2015 bus operators, must continue to understand and appreciate President, Les Cross the true cost of delivering this safe, essential service. The Stock Transportation Ltd. 128 Wellington St. W., Barrie, ON L4N 1K9 enviable safety record of the industry cannot be comprised. Tel. (705) 737-9847 ext. 52004 It is imperative to move forward in developing a procure- [email protected] ment system that is fair and transparent and recognizes the Vice-President, Mark Begg importance of supporting professional school bus drivers Delaney Bus Lines Ltd. and the professional school bus operators who reinvest in 16935 County Road 43, Avonmore, ON K0C 1C0 (613) 346-2511 their people and their fleets to keep students safe every day. [email protected] OSBA has been advocating a positive solution for many Treasurer, Chris Harwood years. The Board of Directors of the Ontario School Bus Student Transportation Canada Association, under the leadership of Past President Perry 160 Saunders Rd., Unit 6, Barrie, ON L4N 9A4 Ferguson, has worked tirelessly to educate the leadership of Tel. (705)-721-2626 ext. 1 Ontario on the importance of reevaluating the competitive [email protected] procurement of student transportation services and review- Past President, Perry Ferguson Voyageur Transportation Services ing the funding that is allocated to the school bus industry. 573 Admiral Court, London, ON N5V 4L3 We have been heard, and in June 2014 Premier Wynne Tel. (519) 455-4579 sent a letter of commitment to both of these much needed [email protected] reviews. In this magazine, Minister Sandals also reaffirms Director, Kirk Flach the Government’s commitment to explore various options for Landmark Student Transportation Ltd. 16 Industrial Parkway S., Ste. 101, Aurora, ON L4G 0R4 the competitive procurement of student transportation that are Tel. (289) 840-7110 in keeping with the BPSAA. In the months ahead, OSBA is [email protected] looking forward to participating with industry stakeholders Director, Raymond Goulden on continuous improvements in safety and service, unham- Beaulieu Bus Lines pered by the realities of competitive procurement. PO Box 1285, Longlac, ON P0T 2A0 Tel. (807) 854-0479 On August 11, 2014, the OSBA Board of Directors revi- [email protected] talized the association’s strategic plan with a major focus Director, Dave Harris on several key objectives and strategies including continued First Student Canada investment in industry safety and legislative consultancy, 1111 International Blvd, Suite 700, Burlington, ON L7L 6W1 expanding the engagement of members and investing in Tel. (289) 288-4359 ext. 331 david.harris@firstgroup.com public relations. As current OSBA President, it is a great Director, Tom Jezersek honour to work with such dedicated Board volunteers and Pacific Western Transportation contractors who remain committed to ensuring credibility, 823 Highfield Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4C7 professionalism and student safety in all association activi- Tel. (403) 398-6980 ties and for the Ontario school bus industry. [email protected] It is my sincere belief that the dedicated professional Director, Brian Jobson DanNel Transportation women and men driving our children from home to school 10-12 Keefer Rd., St. Catharines, ON L2M 7N9 and back to their families each day will benefit from all Tel. (905) 934-1124 the hard work that is going on behind the scenes at OSBA. [email protected] Safety requires an investment. A well-trained, long-term Director, Kevin Langs professional driver behind the wheel of a safe, reliable bus Langs Bus Lines Limited 66 Zimmerman Ave. S., Strathroy, ON N7G 2G7 is worth every penny Ontarians invest. As guardians of the Tel. (519) 245-2350 students in their care, government, school boards, transporta- [email protected] tion consortia and bus operators will need to expeditiously Director, Nick McRae work together to resolve the procurement issues that have Roxborough Bus Lines Ltd. engaged the school bus industry for a number of years. RR 1, 17504 Dyer Rd., Maxville, ON K0C 1T0 Tel. (613) 488-2337 OSBA looks forward to a new era of collaboration dedicated [email protected] to continuous improvement in safety. By our collective and Director, Jim Switzer continuous support we will empower the many dedicated Switzer-Carty Transportation Inc. and professional school bus drivers to continue to provide 1006 Plains Rd. E., Burlington, ON L7T 4K2 350 million positive interactions with our children this year, Tel. (289) 288-1366, ext. 107 [email protected] next year and for decades to come. Association Director, Michele O’Bright 3401 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga, ON L5C 1V8 Les Cross Tel. (416) 695-9965 ext. 3 President, OSBA [email protected]

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SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 7 656670_EDPRO.indd 1 30/08/13 1:20 AM Message from Message from Steven Liz Del Duca Sandals Minister of Minister of Transportation Education chool buses are a familiar sight on Ontario very morning in Ontario, more than 825,000 students get to school safely roads. Every day, more than 825,000 stu- and on time because they have access to a world-class network of student S dents travel in about 18,000 school vehicles Etransportation services. For most students, that means a school bus, those across Ontario. iconic yellow symbols of education recognized around the world and revered As a parent of two young children, I know many by families for their dependable service and professional operators. parents rely on school buses to get their children to and from school. I also know that every parent Ontario is a leader when it comes to excellence in student transportation ser- wants to make sure their children stay safe in their vices. We never get tired of telling people there are over 18,000 school buses or travels every day. school-purpose vehicles used every day, each of them supporting student achieve- I am proud to report that our province’s school ment, promoting equity and enhancing public confidence in our education system. buses and drivers are among the safest in North And despite travelling nearly two-million kilometres daily, Ontario’s student America. School buses are among the safest ways transportation services have an impeccable track record when it comes to safety. for our children to travel. Research shows that rid- The quality of service you provide is reflective of the school board administra- ing the school bus is 16 times safer than travelling tors and bus operators who expertly deliver student transportation and maintain in the family car. the transportation network. Whether you are responsible for driving the bus or Ontario’s school buses are the safest they have planning the bus routes, your work is highly regarded by our government. More ever been. They reflect the most current safety importantly, it is highly respected by those you serve – students and their families. features available for new school buses. In the past Significant investments and ongoing modernization are also helping to decade alone, we have added a crossing arm on the keep student transportation moving in the right direction. Our government front of the bus, better side mirrors for the driver, has increased student transportation funding to approximately $884 million in lights around the entrance and exit doors of the 2014-15, an increase of 40 per cent since 2003. bus and more emergency exit windows. I am also pleased that we are moving ahead with our commitment for an We’ve also heard from school bus drivers and independent review of competitive procurement processes for student transpor- companies about your concerns for making school tation. The review will look at current competitive procurement practices and buses safer. That’s why this past spring we intro- student transportation Requests for Proposals to identify best business practices duced legislation, re-introduced this fall, to make and opportunities for improvement in competitive procurement of student trans- sure school buses are the only buses permitted to portation in Ontario. The review will also explore options other than RFPs for be painted chrome yellow. competitive procurement of student transportation that are in compliance with The Ministry of Transportation works closely the Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive for the consideration of the with schools, road safety groups and school bus school board sector in Ontario. companies to promote school bus safety. We’re As you can tell, I am very appreciative of our student transportation services committed to educating students and parents about and those who deliver them. We are committed to the ongoing modernization important safety rules and reminding all drivers of of the sector because, like everything in education, we know there is always their responsibility to stop for school buses when more to do, improvements to make and goals to achieve. they’re picking up or dropping off passengers. I am grateful to have strong stakeholders such as Ontario’s school boards and Keeping our children safe takes hard work and school bus operators to help us in the modernization process, and ensure we get dedication from all our safety partners. As a par- it right. That requires a healthy dialogue between our government, school boards, ent and as Minister of Transportation, I extend my operators, families and more. Thank you to all who are reading this and have gratitude to the Ontario School Bus Association contributed to this ongoing conversation. and its members. Because of your commitment, In closing, I wish you all a wonderful 2014-15 school year. I look forward parents across the province can know their children to working with you all as we strive to achieve excellence, ensure equity, are safe when travelling to and from school. promote well-being and enhance public confidence in our publicly funded education system.

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SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 707552_Performa.indd 1 15/08/149 12:57 AM School Bus Drivers – True Professionals By Mark Begg

hat comes to mind when you hear the term “professional”? WLawyer, doctor, accountant or engineer? Perhaps you think of a teacher, police officer, pilot or athlete. These pro- fessions are generally associated with lengthy qualifications and often require years of study, training or experience. Whatever your definition of a “professional” entails, it should include one more: school bus drivers. And here’s why. School bus drivers not only require qualifications to operate a larger vehicle, they must also undertake countless hours of training, are subjected to numerous evaluations, be certified in First Aid, CPR and the use of EpiPens, undergo defensive driving refresher courses, student management training and ensure our most vulnerable passengers are delivered into above and beyond their regular work and the Infrastructure Health & Safety proper care each and every day. duties and providing outstanding per- Association (IHSA) also provide some The argument can also be made formance. But when the difficult global excellent opportunities to help employers that school bus drivers act as parents, economy occurred several years ago, provide recognition to their employees. safety crusaders, friends, emergency many companies were forced to cut back first responders, conflict resolution on incentive programs or put them on Certified Professional specialists, negotiators, search and res- hold in order to stay financially viable. Bus Operator cue officers, inclement weather experts, However, based on more recent The Motor Carrier Passenger Council petroleum engineers, vehicle technicians research, such as the McKinsey Survey of Canada (MCPCC) was founded in and transportation analysts. undertaken in the Fall 2009, non-cash January 1999, as a Human Resources Furthermore, most school buses are motivators are no less and can be more Sector Council, and brought together now equipped with electronic communi- effective motivators than highly-rated all bus sectors, labour, education and cation technology, passenger-monitoring financial incentives, such as: government, in order to address criti- video systems, automatic vehicle-loca- • Praise from immediate managers; cal human resources issues that were tion systems, global positioning systems • Leadership attention (such as one-on- affecting all areas of the Canadian bus and computerized information systems. one conversations with someone in a industry. Over the past 15 years, the This increasingly sophisticated face of leadership role); MCPCC has built a professional suite of bus transportation means that a wide • A chance to lead or participate on ground-breaking programs including the variety of skills are required, including company projects or initiatives. National Occupational Standards (NOS), business, technical and social skills. As Given the results of recent surveys, accreditation and certification, labour a result, school bus drivers must partici- how can any individual or organization market information, best practices and pate in an on-going process of acquir- provide recognition to these dedicated e-learning tools. ing new skills and knowledge. When and professional men and women? More specifically, the MCPCC, you bring together all of these varied The next time your local school bus working with unions, bus companies, and multiple responsibilities, it could driver picks up or drops off a group of associations, educational institutions, certainly be said that school bus drivers students, why not take a moment to say government and individual operators are “professionals” in many ways and “Thank you. Great job!” Or, the next time from coast to coast, developed a certi- deserve to be recognized as such. you are waiting in traffic and see flashing fication program that allows bus drivers In the past, many believed that money lights on a school bus, perhaps simply to earn the designation as a “Certified and other non-monetary incentives were smile and wait patiently as children enter Professional Bus Operator (CPBO).” generally the best way to recognize and or exit safely to their destination. “Certification” means formal rec- motivate employees. Bonuses and other Moreover, the Motor Carrier Pass- ognition and professional designation rewards were given to workers for going enger Council of Canada (MCPCC) of licensed bus operators who have

10 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 School Bus Drivers – True Professionals

demonstrated their knowledge, experi- Nationview Public School in South ence and abilities evaluated against the Mountain, Ontario recently awarded National Occupational Standards. one of their school bus drivers, Deborah To be eligible for designation as a Marriner, with a “Character Always” CPBO, an individual must have received award as part of their monthly recog- training through an accredited train- nition ceremony. Laurie McElheran, ing program (accreditation available Principal at Nationview Public School through the MCPCC), or have evidence said, “Deb takes great pride in her job of completed training which meets the and has tremendous courage to ensure National Occupational Standards; have everyone arrives both at school and three years bus operator experience; home safely. Nationview has an awe- hold an applicable driving licence for some team looking after our students the sector to which certification is being and it is important for us to recognize sought; and must consent to abide by the Richard Fleming, School Bus Driver at these very important people.” Delaney Bus Lines, receiving CPBO certif- MCPCC’s Code of Ethics. icate from Mark Begg, General Manager. The Office of the State Superintendent Receiving his certification as a CPBO Division of Student Transportation (OSSE at the company’s start-up meeting in individuals and giving them confidence DOT), a regional transportation system August 2014, Delaney Bus Lines Limited in the company; providing documenta- that transports special needs students in school bus driver, Richard Fleming, said tion of the employee’s history of safety; the District of Columbia, introduced a “Having seen some of my fellow driv- and demonstrating to customers and oth- recognition program to celebrate out- ers receive this designation in the past ers that quality of service is provided. standing school bus drivers and atten- gave me something to look forward to. Darlene McNamara, a school bus dants. The overall goal of the program is I’m proud to be a school bus driver and and motor coach driver with Delaney to boost employee morale and promote even more so to work for a company Bus Lines Limited received her 23-year the highest standards of professionalism that takes the time to recognize their safe driving award pin this past August. and compassion. Nominations for the pro- drivers’ efforts.” McNamara said “It is with great pride gram are collected from schools, parents Joan Crawford, Executive Director that I wear my safe driver award pin. Not and students through an online survey. of the MCPCC sums up the Council’s only does it mean I have maintained a Each month OSSE DOT recognizes one belief in accreditation, saying, “This safe driving record, it also means I have exemplary bus driver and attendant from program clearly demonstrates that maintained my passengers’ safety – and each of its four bus terminals. The driv- the bus sector is a vital contributor to for me, that is priority number one.” ers and attendants receive a silver lapel Canada’s economy and is committed pin, a framed certificate, a bus magnet to to the development and sharing of best Celebrating Outstanding display on the driver-side door of their bus practices. We know that our industry School Bus Drivers and an engraved plaque. The drivers and is leading the way in professionalism Other industry recognition initia- attendants of the year receive a gold lapel and training excellence, while earning tives have been implemented using a pin, a framed certificate, a bus magnet to increased respect for individual opera- wide variety of in-house programs to display on the driver-side door of their tors and companies across the country.” formally recognize and celebrate out- bus and an engraved plaque. standing performance. Safe Driver Awards Student Transportation of Eastern Return on Investment Similarly, the Infrastructure Health Ontario (STEO), the transportation con- Recognizing the professional school and Safety Association of Ontario sortium for the Catholic District School bus driver has many tangible and intangi- (IHSA) established their safe driver Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO), ble benefits. Not only does it let employ- award program to provide employers and the Upper Canada District School ees know that their work is valued and with a system to recognize the health and Board (UCDSB), implemented an appreciated, it also gives them a sense of safety performance of their employees. “Outstanding Bus Driver” recognition ownership and belonging in their place The benefits of IHSA’s safe driver program. Students are invited to com- of work. When a driver feels appreci- award program includes: demonstrat- plete an on-line form highlighting the ated, they are most likely to contribute to ing the importance of working safely; reasons why they are nominating their the overall success of the organization, demonstrating the company’s appre- bus driver. Winning drivers are recog- and ultimately the industry, knowing ciation of a job well done; improving nized with a certificate of outstanding that their roles are valued. Furthermore, employee morale; building confidence in work and a gift of appreciation formal recognition can help contribute

SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 11 to positive employee morale, enhance company loyalty and ultimately help Rural Consortia Takes Proactive employee retention. Having been a long-time proponent of Approach with driver recognition, Tom Jezersek, Vice- President of student transportation for Enroute Pacific Western says, “The roles and Evacuation responsibilities of a school bus driver are endless. Simply put, doing whatever Drill we can to help raise awareness of their n Northwestern Ontario the important roles, and provide them with challenge is not the number of all the recognition that we can, is the Istudents but servicing the exten- least we can do as an employer.” sive geography. This Consortium area spans approximately 80,000 sq. km. As Whichever method an individual or a result, the Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium’s buses carry organization recognizes a school bus students from multiple schools and school boards on the same buses. Although driver, it is important to simply acknowl- evacuation drills are occurring at local schools, students did not have any oppor- edge them. The MCPCC Certified tunity to practice the drill with their fellow bus students. Professional Bus Operator designation, During the 2013/14 school year, in co-operation with area bus operators, an the IHSA Safe Driver Award Program Enroute Evacuation Drill Program was developed. Two planned drills occurred and recognition programs such as those where sites were pre-determined and the driver conducted either a narrative or implemented by STEO, Nationview physical evacuation with the students. General Manager, Judi Green, stated, Public School, and OSSE DOT provide “This program has had positive feedback from both the parents and bus driv- formal opportunities to distinguish the ers. With the challenging winter we had in the North, the training was used on men and women who, undeniably, make several occasions.” this a professional industry.

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he safety and care of children video will be available, by the mid to end is constantly at the forefront of of December 2014, to all Ontario School Teach and every school board, Bus Association (OSBA) bus operator transportation consortium, bus opera- and transportation consortia members tor and school bus driver not only in as part of their annual membership pro- Ontario, but across Canada. Over the gram, and to all OASBO Transportation past couple of years, a very special group Committee members. For non-members of volunteers have worked together to wishing to purchase a copy of this DVD, not only maintain their vision of ensur- please complete the order form found on ing maximum safety of special needs the OSBA website at the following link: student transportation in Ontario, but www.osba.on.ca. for increasing awareness and develop- Sincere thanks is extended to the ing a product to help train and involve following volunteers who gave tire- professional school bus drivers, parents lessly of their time and effort to bring and special needs children. Beth Buttenham of Stock this video to fruition: Renée Boucher “We were unable to find a training Transportation is pleased with the pro- (Sudbury Student Services Consortium), video that included Canadian vehicles, duction of this DVD and says, “Parents, Michel Boyer (Consortium de Transport using real students and authentic sce- teachers and students alike can feel Scolaire de L’Est), Beth Buttenham narios to specifically train new and assured that this DVD will help all (Stock Transportation), Cindy Cain seasoned school bus drivers and oth- school bus drivers think about what is (Veolia Transportation), John Hollick ers to deal with evacuation prepared- done to evacuate students with special (Camera/Editor-First Student Canada), ness of students with special needs.” needs, including those in wheelchairs, Christine Johnson (Landmark Student said Karen Lacroix of Halton Student and the need to be thoroughly trained in Transportation/Sinton Transportation), Transportation Services. So these dedi- the event that an incident occurs.” Karen Lacroix (Halton Student cated volunteers started from scratch: It is anticipated that the Special Transportation Services), Faye they developed a plan, working directly Needs Passenger Evacuation training Wilkinson (Stock Transportation). with students with special needs who were enrolled in both elementary and secondary schools, and their parents, Make Every™ Bus Better. used Canadian vehicles from regular in-route service and have produced a ® DVD that can be shown and used by a wide variety of audiences. • Better Fuel Economy. “This DVD is an excellent source of — Up to 3% better than our ’07 ISB information to not only train and inform professional school bus drivers, but also • Better Performance. — school board personnel, transportation Improved driveability and throttle response consortia staff, teachers and parents • Better Reliability. regarding what drivers of special needs — Best-in-class durability and dependability vehicles are really involved with on a day- to-day basis. It highlights the significance • Better for the Environment. of routing and scheduling these vehicles, — Near zero NOx and PM emissions and most importantly, what needs to be — Improved MPG results in smaller carbon footprint done to evacuate students with special needs in the event of an emergency.” said For All Your Cummins Powered School Bus Engine Needs. Renée Boucher of the Sudbury Student Bill Lupkoski – Manager Bus Business – 416-553-6525 Cummins Eastern Canada Transportation Consortium. 905-795-0050 or 1-888-CUMMINS

SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 13 491084_Cummins.indd 1 9/21/10 8:57:32 PM Safely Crossing the Tracks By Dave Carroll

he tragic collision between a transit bus and a VIA drivers behind that the bus is slowing to a stop. (While the law rail passenger train in Ottawa in September 2013 is does not require the “four-ways” to be used, it is an industry Ta poignant reminder to all drivers of the deadly con- best practice observed by most bus companies.) sequences of railway grade crossing accidents. “Train time Stopping at a railway crossing other than in the right is anytime” and weighing thousands of tons, trains can take hand lane on a multi-lane roadway should be avoided as up to two kilometres to stop. Every day in Ontario, school it can compromise the driver’s vision down the tracks and buses safely cross railway tracks many thousands of times, the ability to hear when the service door is opened. Also, demanding the complete attention by drivers and unwavering stopping other than in the right-hand lane can increase the compliance with provincial railway crossing legislation enacted chance of being rear-ended by a motorist behind the bus who to ensure student safety. might not be paying attention. Next, drivers should turn off noise producing devices in the bus, including circulation Legislated Crossing Procedure fans, heater/defroster fans, radios or radio speakers, etc., Since 1997, school buses are the only vehicles in Ontario to enhance the driver’s ability to hear an approaching train that must stop at all grade (level) railway crossings, whether or the signal bells. School buses manufactured for sale in or not the crossing is protected with warning signal lights or Ontario on or after January 1, 2005 are required by law to gates. Prior to that, school buses were only required to stop at have a noise suppression switch located within easy reach of unprotected crossings, those without warning signal or gates. the driver that will simultaneously disable the above noise The Ontario Highway Traffic Act, Section 174 (2) requires the producing accessories. driver of a school bus upon approaching a railway crossing, Once the bus is stopped no closer than five metres from whether or not it is protected by gates or railway crossing signal the nearest rail, the driver must open the ser- lights, unless otherwise directed by a flagman, to: vice entrance door fully, and listen for an 1. Stop the school bus not less than 5 metres (16 feet) from approaching train. While not required by the nearest rail of the railway; law, many bus operator companies have a 2. Look in both directions along the railway track; policy that drivers are to set the park brake 3. Open a door of the school bus and listen to determine if before opening the service door as an extra pre- any train is approaching; caution. It is also good practice to open the driver’s 4. When it is safe to do so, cross the railway track in a gear side window to enhance the driver’s ability to hear that will not need to be changed while crossing the track; a train or warning bells. and When it’s safe to do so, the bus can pro- 5. Not change gears while crossing tracks (manual transmis- ceed across the tracks, provided suffi- sion buses). cient space in traffic exists on the other Rail crossing legislation and safety procedures are a part side for the bus to fully clear the cross- of the classroom and on-road school bus driver training cur- ing area. School bus drivers are routinely riculum. During on-road training, drivers practice the manoeu- reminded “If it won’t fit – don’t commit!” ver over and over and must demonstrate their knowledge While school buses have to stop at and correct operational procedures during the Ministry of all grade crossings, public vehicles Transportation of Ontario (MTO) road test to obtain a school that are not school buses need bus (Class B or E) drivers licence. only stop at unprotected cross- When approaching a level crossing, the driver of a bus with- ings which have no warning out a sequential mode warning light system must check to see lights or gates. These vehicles that the “master” switch that controls the red overhead warning must observe the same stop- lights and stop arm is turned off, so as to prevent their opera- ping procedures as above, but tion when the door is opened. Next, the driver should get into there is no requirement for the right-hand lane of traffic and when slowing down, activate a noise suppression switch the “four-ways” (not the red overhead warning lights) to warn in the vehicle.

14 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 A split-second lapse in judgement or driver inattention at a level crossing can prove disastrous. For this reason, school bus companies routinely reinforce A Lesson on the and remind their drivers of railway crossing legislation and company standard operating procedures. Importance of Opening Occasional spot checks by the operator’s staff at grade crossings can help ensure 100% compliance the Service Entrance with company policies and the law. In addition to Door and Side Window operator monitoring, police agencies, including CN Rail and CP Rail police, enforce the school bus By Dave Carroll stopping laws and issue tickets for rail crossing viola- The importance of opening the service entrance door and the tions. The most common infractions are not coming driver’s side window was recently emphasized in a Transportation to a full stop five metres from the nearest rail and Safety Board (TSB) investigation report on a school bus-train col- not fully opening the service door before proceeding lision that occurred in March of 2013 in Carlyle, SK. across the tracks. The driver of the 72-passenger school bus carrying seven elementary school children proceeded from a stopped position at a level Operation Lifesaver crossing (which had no warning lights or gates) into the path of a School bus operators can access school bus driver CN freight train travelling at 40 km/hr. The Board determined the training resources offered by Operation Lifesaver, school bus driver was unaware of the approaching train. The bus was a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to severely damaged and one child received minor injuries. prevent collisions between trains and motor vehicles. The investigation determined that the school bus stopped at the Operation Lifesaver was formed over 30 years ago stop sign before attempting to cross the tracks; however, the driver when the railway companies joined forces with the did not open the door as level crossings in Saskatchewan, which federal, provincial and municipal governments in have a stop sign posted, are deemed a “controlled crossing” where Canada to build lasting and aggressive programs to opening the door is not required by law. (Saskatchewan has since improve railway-related safety. One of their train- changed its law in response to the TSB’s report.) The driver did not ing programs is aimed specifically at school bus see or hear the train as it sounded its horn. The investigation deter- drivers called, “Make it a Round Trip.” It provides mined that the driver was likely distracted by tasks associated with an Instructor’s Guide, Student Note Book and a the road traffic and pedestrian activity in the vicinity. In addition, Safety Quiz as downloadable files on Operation the school bus frame (A-pillar) and side mirror adjacent to the door Lifesaver’s website at www.operationlifesaver.ca/ obstructed the driver’s view and concealed the train. resources/professional-drivers. As part of its investigation, TSB conducted an on-site re-enactment Railway crossing safety is a consideration when of the collision using a similar CN train and an identical school bus school bus routes are established in collaboration that produced some interesting findings. Train horn sound levels between the transportation consortia or school were recorded using a similar locomotive equipped with an identical board and the school bus operator. Factors such horn. While the measured sound values for the horn met Transport as driver sightlines and obstacles, train traffic Canada regulatory requirements, they found that train horns do not volumes, curved vs. straight track, protected vs. consistently provide adequate warning to school buses that have unprotected crossings, potential driver distractions, doors and windows closed when stopped at railway crossings. proximity to intersections, etc., are all factors that are It was further determined that the average ambient noise in the taken into account when assessing risks and making school bus with the engine on high idle and door closed was in excess route decisions. For example, in urban areas with of 70 decibels. Had the door been opened (as is required in Ontario) numerous level crossings, some protected and it could have increased the perceived loudness of the train horn by some unprotected, routes should be designed between 20 and 30 decibels. They also found that while seated in wherever possible to utilize the protected the driver’s seat, with the bus at low idle and with windows and front crossings. door closed, the train horn cannot be heard above the ambient noise Level railway crossings are a fact of life and level in the bus until the train is approximately two seconds from usually cannot be avoided. While they the crossing. With a moving bus, the horn cannot be heard until the add an element of risk to a school route, train is one second away or less. For these reasons, the TSB report they can be safely managed with good recommends that the driver’s side window also be opened to improve driver training, ongoing compliance a school bus driver’s ability to hear an approaching train. monitoring by the bus operator, and As a result of their findings, on June 30, 2013, the TSB issued a constant reminders to drivers that Rail Safety Advisory Letter to Transport Canada titled School Bus “train time is anytime” and that level Safety at Railway Crossings. The letter indicated that train horns crossings demand a school bus driv- do not consistently provide adequate warning to school buses that er’s undivided attention and focus – at have doors and windows closed when stopped at level crossings. every crossing – every time.

SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 15 ACET Trains for First Aid… and Confidence

etting students to school on time is your job, but getting Gstudents to school safely is your responsibility as an owner and an operator. First aid knowledge and the confidence to respond in an emergency are critical skills – ones that OSBA member Active Canadian Emergency Training Inc. (ACET) has made its business to deliver. Established in 1992 by advanced care paramedics, ACET’s philosophy is that the first aider’s role is critical in the response to emergencies. Yet, ACET founders witnessed bystanders who had first aid training but were not confident to use the skills they had learned. This throughout his 33-year career in polic- her EpiPen Jr. She cried and pulled observation led ACET to develop The ing and knows that emergencies are away but I had her leg secured and we Approach™ to managing emergencies. unpredictable, and rarely happen in an counted together to ensure the full dose The Approach, currently delivered to “ideal” setting. was received. Without your advice on more than 1,000 companies and over “It isn’t just the content that makes securing the leg, I would have with- 16,000 participants every year, is criti- ACET courses memorable for partici- out a doubt wasted the Pen and had to cal to providing school boards, police pants. We invest a lot in our instructors. administer another one. Also due to services, government and private sector It’s their passion for teaching and years your teaching, I was able to mentally clients with a regulated, first-aid train- of experience in the field that resonate rehearse exactly what I would do should ing course focused on the first aider with the class,” says Bardgett. “We have something occur.” knowing what to do and being confident a great team of people teaching our pro- To complement a full host of regu- to respond. gram and making training fun.” lated and non-regulated first aid courses, “The Approach is designed to leave Course participants often reach out ACET also manages and implements participants with the confidence to to the ACET office to share stories of AED Programs as a national reseller of respond in the critical first seven min- how their training kicked-in and helped LIFEPAK AEDs. Every year in Canada, utes of an emergency happening, prior them save a life. For instance, days 35,000 to 40,000 people die of sudden to paramedics’ arrival,” says Andrew after taking a course with ACET, Peel cardiac arrest (SCA) and when SCA Outinen, General Manager, ACET. “And Region Police Officer Ashley Kirmin occurs outside of a hospital setting, while we hope no one ever has to pro- was faced with a family medical emer- less than five percent of patients sur- vide CPR or use an automated external gency and he credits the program with vive. Early intervention of defibrilla- defibrillator (AED), we want every per- giving him the confidence to respond tion coupled with trained responders can son who takes our training to be able to when his daughter suffered anaphylac- dramatically increase the survival rates provide lifesaving care.” tic shock. Kirmin wrote to say thanks of someone experiencing SCA. Slides and video are used as teach- to his instructor Deb Hartman who “Our goal is to get as many AEDs in ing tools in ACET’s Emergency and taught him how to correctly administer public areas, workplaces and homes as Standard First Aid courses, but par- an EpiPen®, which saved his daughter’s we can,” says Outinen. “The more AEDs ticipants also go into their workplaces, life, saying, “It was immediately clear that are readily available, the more lives practicing scenarios in stairwells, bath- she was in respiratory distress, but dis- will be saved.” rooms or in the parking lot. ACET played no outward signs of swelling One particular story that stands out Instructor Supervisor, Mike Bardgett or hives…remembering Deb’s advice, for Outinen is a workplace that used responded to many emergencies I secured her leg and administered their LIFEPAK CR Plus to save an

16 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 employee’s life. The client had been working with ACET for years, was an early adopter of AEDs, having a LIFEPAK CR Plus onsite for 10 years, and held annual AED training. One afternoon, an employee found a co- www.kleenoil.ca worker unconscious and unresponsive, and jumped into action and made the call to 911. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, the first aider used the AED, which delivered multiple shocks. After being hospitalized for several weeks the employee made a full recovery. “If that organization had not invested in an AED, that story might have had a different outcome,” Outinen notes. Success stories and positive feedback from clients is what drives ACET and fosters the level of excellence its clients and students have come to expect in the classroom and operationally. As it has done for the past 22 years, ACET will continue to support Canadians with excellent training in an effort to make homes and workplaces safer. “What we are doing by teaching useable first aid and implementing AEDs will empower people to save lives…this is what drives me and makes me excited to go into work every day,” says Outinen.

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SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 707779_Garage.indd 1 9/6/14 1:39702144_Ontario.indd AM 1 1712/07/14 11:22 PM Conquering Distractions: Mind on the Driving, Eyes on the Road and Hands on the Wheel New laws to reduce distracted driving are lauded by school transportation professionals, but the industry is already leading the way.

By Eric Woolson

chool transportation professionals agree that new regulations to stiffen penalties for cell phone usage while More Than Cell Phones and Coffee Cups Sdriving in Ontario should make roadways safer but Like any other driver, school bus drivers are susceptible to the benefits will come from outside school buses rather than three distractions – taking their eyes off the road, their hands from within. off the steering wheel or letting their minds wander away “School transportation has always been ahead of the game from the road. One of the biggest distractions is the overhead in terms of safety regulations, practices and policies. They’ve mirror they must glance at as they check on their passengers. always been the trend setter, if you will, and distracted driv- Begg, who is also a certified professional driving instructor ing and cell phone use are no exception,” explained Kathy and Director with the Ontario School Bus Association, said Furneaux, Executive Director of the Pupil Transportation school bus drivers “face all the distractions you face in your Safety Institute in East Syracuse, NY. “The public is just car, except they may have 72 kids behind them.” catching up to the industry.” Pedestrians, traffic, cyclists, road hazards, numerous stops Mark Begg, General Manager of Delaney Bus Lines in and starts and, surprisingly, parents at bus stops are among Avonmore, and Beth Buttenham, Senior Safety and Training the plethora of distractions. Specialist of Stock Transportation, headquartered in Barrie, “Parents may think the bus stop is a great time to talk to praise government officials for choosing to impose stricter the driver but in urban communities, especially, you may penalties on motorists caught texting while driving. have 10, 15 or 25 kids getting on or off at the same corner, the “Significant awareness has been brought to the issue, espe- driver needs to focus attention on where every one of these cially with the hands-free ban,” said Begg, whose company has kids is going. A conversation with a parent takes the driver’s a school transportation division that transports approximately mind and eye off the kids. Often times, we ask the driver to 2,200 students for two transportation consortia represent- put up a hand or finger to stop the conversation. It might be ing four different school boards in Eastern Ontario. “I think abrupt but it’s not to be rude because their first and foremost Ontario is on the right track.” responsibility is the kids’ safety,” said Begg. However, their companies have long prohibited drivers While bus drivers may not be distracted themselves, they from using cell phones on the job. And, it doesn’t end with also must be prepared to react to other drivers who are. cell phones. Neither company allows drivers to use hands-free “Not only do school bus drivers have to avoid becoming devices, ear phones, navigational systems, eat or carry that distracted, but they have to remain focused on defensive driving favorite cup of coffee, either. so they don’t get caught up in some other motorist’s distrac- They both agree, professional drivers wouldn’t want it any tion,” Furneaux said. other way. “Bus drivers are aware they need to have 110% focus on the road all the time,” Begg said. Student Management is “Big” Furneaux added, “Being a trained driver and understanding Maintaining order on the bus is a crucial factor in reduc- the consequences of not following those rules and policies is ing driving distractions, Buttenham said. Drivers do that by what makes the school bus driver a safer driver.” developing a confidence in rules and policies, their authority

18 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 and their ability to handle situations as America who wouldn’t give their life to chance. They didn’t just beat the odds; they arise. protect the kids, so when you talk about they took their jobs seriously every min- “The distraction of unruly students consequences (of distracted driving) they ute and avoided the vulnerability of dis- on board the bus cannot be overstated. already know. When I talk to drivers who traction. That’s the difference between a The driver’s responsibility for prevent- haven’t had an accident in 25, 30 or even school bus driver and the normal motoring bullying, harassment, physical and 40 years, you know it doesn’t happen by ing public,” she said. verbal assaults and safety in general often overshadows the driving itself,” Furneaux said. “While all these things are important, there are times these distractions The Stats Distracted driving takes you away from the primary task of driving. Driving must take a ‘back seat’ to just driving the requires your full attention at all times. Below are some alarming statistics. bus. This mental prioritization is a skill • Cell phones are one of the most common distractions for drivers. Drivers acquired by school bus drivers through engaged in text messaging on a cellular phone are 23 times more likely to be training, practice and experience.” involved in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers. Training drivers to overcome distrac- (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2010) tions is a constant challenge because of • 84% of distracted-driving-related fatalities in the US were tied to the general the way the human brain works, espe- classification of carelessness or inattentiveness (National Highway Traffic cially when faced with the repetition of a Safety Administration, 2009) daily routine like a bus route, Furneaux • 80% of collisions and 65% of near crashes have some form of driver inattention emphasized. as contributing factors (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2010) That’s why it’s necessary to “con- • Distracted drivers are 3 times more likely to be in a crash than attentive drivers stantly remind drivers, constantly refo- (Alberta Transportation, 2011) cus them and constantly reemphasize the • Driver distraction is a factor in about 4 million motor vehicle crashes in North critical nature of what they do,” she said. America each year “It is important to establish and enforce • Children are four times more distracting than adults as passengers, and infants good, consistent policies.” are eight times more distracting than adults as passengers Begg and Buttenham note that drivers • Economic losses caused by traffic collision-related health care costs and lost are required to successfully complete productivity are at least $10 billion annually. That’s about 1% of Canada’s a driver improvement course, which GDP! (Government of Canada) includes a segment on defensive driving. • In 2010, distracted driving was a contributing factor in 104 collision fatalities “You can’t train for distracted driv- in British Columbia (RCMP) ing so that’s why we put the focus on • International research shows that 20% to 30% of all collisions involve driver the awareness of distracted driving. distraction (Alberta Transportation, 2011) One of the reasons for the defensive driving course is that everybody will Source: Canadian Automobile Association be distracted at some point so if we can emphasize to drivers the need to constantly scan their mirrors and be aware of what’s going on around them there’s still time to react if they do get distracted,” Begg said. “Practicing defensive driving helps ensure that you’re in full control of your vehicle if there is a distraction on the inside of the bus or outside of it.” Bus companies also use numerous avenues and opportunities to remind drivers about the need to avoid and overcome distractions, ranging from safety posters in their drivers’ room, monthly safety meet- ings and testimonials from fellow drivers, to daily safety messages over the radio and reminders in the software that drivers use to complete morning bus inspections. In the end, Furneaux believes top bus drivers possess a special discipline and commitment to safety. “I haven’t talked www.southland.ca to a single school bus driver in North

717414_Southland.indd 1 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 1922/10/14 3:49 AM Twinkle Twinkle Little Light…Rooftop Strobe Lights on School Buses The Need to Address Operational Inconsistencies that can Diminish Safety • Have an interior dashboard indicator lamp, visible to driver. In Ontario, there is a law that pre- By Dave Carroll scribes the technical specifications and location of the strobe; however, there he school bus is one of the most is currently no legislation, regulation, noticeable and recognizable industry guidance or best practice Tvehicles on Ontario roadways regarding the use of these lights. by virtue of its bright yellow colour Across the U.S. and Canada, there is with black trim, standardized signage, a myriad of regulations and policies gov- markings and warning lights. The ability erning the use of strobes. Some States for other motorists to easily recognize a However, over time, more and more and school districts have rules or poli- school bus and to respond appropriately school jurisdictions and even some bus cies that require strobes to be used only to school bus manoeuvres and warn- operators have concluded strobe lights when visibility is reduced due to fog, ing signals are essential elements of the are a good thing and should be activated rain, snow or dust, while others allow school bus safety formula. For this rea- whenever students are on the bus regard- total driver discretion on when strobes son, any deviation from the consistent less of the nature of the trip or environ- should be activated. Others limit strobe and uniform “look and feel” of Ontario’s mental conditions. The concern is that use to school bus runs between home school bus fleet is cause for concern. indiscriminate use of the roof-top strobe and school in rural areas only. Some Since the early 1990’s, the addition light could have unintended and negative require the strobe to be interconnected of a white or amber rooftop strobe light consequences that result from an inconsis- to the alternating (overhead) warning located on the longitudinal centreline tent school bus fleet and a motoring public lights so that it is automatically activated of a school bus has increased in popu- that can become irritated, distracted or throughout the loading and unloading larity across the U.S. and in Canada. confused, or worse – desensitized over cycle. In some jurisdictions, including These lights produce an intense pul- time to flashing lights on school buses. some school transportation consortia sating double-flash, about 40 times a In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario, strobes must be activated minute, designed to make a school bus does not mandate that a school bus be whenever the bus is in operation, from even more visible. This auxiliary light- equipped with a roof-top strobe, nor does “key on to key off”. ing was originally intended to make the Act prohibit them. So it is entirely The current situation in Ontario raises school buses more conspicuous when discretional, which creates operational a number of interesting questions that have transporting students between home and inconsistencies we now see across the prompted discussions between the Ontario school in areas prone to reduced vis- province. However, Regulation 612 under School Bus Association (OSBA) and the ibility due to fog, smoke or snow. The HTA references the CSA D250 Standard Ministry of Transportation of Ontario premise being that in certain conditions, which says, where a school bus manu- (MTO) as to whether there is a need for such as inclement weather and low light, factured on or after November 1, 2010 is regulatory controls or creation of industry increased conspicuity can help other equipped with a rooftop strobe it shall: best practices that would lead to consis- motorists see the bus in time to stop • Be white in colour tency. Some of these questions include: safely, thereby preventing rear end col- • Be centred on roof, in rear 1/3 of the • What meaning should a flashing lisions and illegal “blow-bys” (passing a bus strobe light convey to motorists? stopped school bus with its red warning • Meet SAEJ1318, Class 1 or 2, and not • How should motorists react when they lights flashing). exceed 18 j energy level see a school bus with a strobe light?

20 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 • Does the inconsistency in school bus appearance (buses with activated strobes Be Seen, Be Safe Program vs. buses without) confuse motorists and diminish the effectiveness of having a homogenous school bus fleet? • Is there any purpose served by having the strobe on when travelling at the speed of other traffic when no particular hazardous situation exists? • Will indiscriminate use of strobe lights eventually desensitize the motoring public to flashing lights in general, as we have seen from the pro- liferation of flashing lights on other vehicles (e.g. tow trucks)? • Is there any benefit of a strobe light on a school bus travelling on a 400 series (controlled access) highway? • Can the use of a strobe light during hat began as a bussing Flashing amber lights were distrib- hours of darkness be so irritating and safety initiative with the uted to all students from JK to Grade 3; distracting to following motorists that WNorthwestern Ontario the lights may be clipped to a backpack it will encourage more drivers to over- Student Services Consortium, quickly or jacket. Once the battery dies, the light take the school bus? caught the interest of local school boards. still acts as a reflector. As well, local bus • Is there any benefit of having the Covering an area of approximately operators demonstrated their support strobe light on when a school bus is 80,000 sq. km, the CSDC Aurores by contributing towards the cost of the travelling without passengers? Boréales, Kenora Catholic, Northwest flashing lights. • Is there any benefit of having the Catholic and Keewatin-Patricia District Consortium Manager, Judi Green strobe light on during closed door School Boards worked together to launch explained that she read about a similar (point to point) charter trips? the, “Be Seen, Be Safe” Program. program in Texas and thought that the • Some motorists misconstrue the With limited daylight hours during safety program could be adopted in the strobe light as a driver distress signal, the long winter months, students and North. “We believed our kids could ben- should there be a description of the parents often experience dawn/dusk and efit from this program and they have,” strobe light’s purpose in the MTO’s darkness conditions when accessing bus she said. Official Driver Handbooks? service or getting to and from school. Green went on to say that other The student transportation industry This safety initiative is meant to enhance Consortia in Ontario have also adopted is all about safety and it is important to student visibility. the program. ensure that strobes actually enhance school bus safety rather than create unintended and negative consequences that can result when the motoring public is confused, High Gas Prices Hurting your annoyed, unnecessarily distracted or desensitized over time to flashing lights. Bottom Line? Standardization and uniformity regarding school bus appearance and operations are major contributing factors in the excellent $ave up to 50% on fuel by school bus safety record. When optional devices are added that are operated incon- converting your vehicles to sistently across the province, it can detract from what government and the industry have been able to accomplish. For these reasons, OSBA will continue dialogue with MTO towards arriving at how to ensure there is uniformity and consis- tency in the use of strobe lights. This will ensure that strobe lights are an effective safety enhancement and achieve their intended purpose.

SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 702902_Primemax.indd 1 2115/08/14 1:08 AM The Drive to Lead Others By Eric Woolson

eadership – everybody knows Robinson said. “In the education system, Changing circumstances, what it is, but no one seems to you want everyone to share the responsi- changing roles Ldescribe it quite the same way. bility of seeing that the students in your Experts say that the value of par- “Honesty, focus, passion, respect charge are getting the best they can from ticular leadership traits carry different and excellent persuasion abilities,” one your system.” weights depending on changing circum- expert suggests. “Confidence, clarity and When it comes to getting students safely stances. Like the battlefield commander, care,” another says. “Integrity, compas- to and from school, another set of leader- in times of crisis it is crucial for a teacher sion, shared vision and actions, vision ship characteristics are in demand, said or school transportation professional to and celebration,” another proclaims. Chris Harwood, Senior VP of Canadian be able to act decisively and command “Humility, empowering, collaborative, Operations at Student Transportation Inc. the trust and attention of students to avert fearlessness and communicative,” still “Top of the list is a dedication to student disaster. “In less stressful situations, another professional insists. safety followed by a dedication to customer strong leadership in the educational field Why so much disparity? Because service and strong skills with respect to requires an ability to create a vision and one size doesn’t fit all when it comes people,” said Harwood, who serves on the trust so that others “buy-in” to a specific to strong leaders and strong leadership Ontario School Bus Association Board of direction and see themselves as playing traits, according to Ontario Principals’ Directors. “Some other basic skills we look a part,” Robinson said. Council (OPC) Registrar, Dr. Joanne for in leaders are things you would find in While the experts may not always Robinson. other industries. Empathy is a critical one. agree on the necessary traits, the Take, for instance, the differences Compassion – being able to understand essential result of strong leadership is between a battlefield commander and where a person is coming from because constant. “Leadership is the ability to an educator. “On the battlefield, you leaders have to be able to influence people. influence others. It’s not doing every- want people to follow directions now. Being able to influence stems from gaining thing yourself. It’s the ability to motivate As a leader in the education system, it’s respect and gaining respect stems from and inspire,” Robinson said. “In educa- not about you, it’s about the students,” empathy and compassion.” tion, the best leaders are the people who

22 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 always put the students, and the learning running late or something else,” he responsibility will set themselves on the for which we’re responsible, first.” said. “You have a compassion and an road to bigger and better things. Perry Ferguson, CEO of Voyageur understanding. Leadership is all about Transportation, in London, ON, agrees a lot of communication and you do that Creating leadership that an organization’s culture is an impor- better when you understand what the skills in kids tant piece of the leadership puzzle. In the other person is going through.” Hamilton said schools are actually student transportation profession, that Strong leaders recognize where they in the “business of building leader- means setting a course that creates a cul- need to improve a particular skill or col- ship capacity,” which ultimately helps ture of safety. “That culture has to come laborate with someone else to overcome children learn to become leaders and from the top down. It starts with good a specific weakness. “The best leaders productive citizens. But, Robinson policies, procedures and expectations. self-analyze and say – Maybe I need to said, “Rather than attempting to instill Safety has to be on people’s minds all be more empathetic or maybe I need to leadership skills in every child, parents the time,” said Ferguson, Past President do more to inspire trust, so part of the should nurture and support confidence. of the OSBA Board of Directors. leadership process is knowing who you If a child feels capable and confident, Meanwhile, other leadership aspects are, knowing your strengths and knowing their leadership will grow. Our job as come from across the organization, he where you need to get better,” Robinson educators and parents is to instill con- explained. “Everyone from customer said. fidence so that even when they think service to dispatchers and drivers have Potential leaders are often easy to iden- or act differently, others will look to to be able to make decisions on the go. tify – except when they’re not. Hamilton them for leadership as a result of their So we look for people who are organized looks for people who are eager to take on internal confidence.” and have good judgement and have con- new tasks and lead initiatives while also fidence in themselves.” being sensitive to the needs of others. One goal in developing leaders is to But Hamilton and Harwood agreed that place them into positions where they’ll challenges arise when talented people are succeed. At the same time, leaders need happy right where they are. to be willing to get outside their comfort “Leadership potential is probably zone and take appropriate risks. the toughest thing to see in anyone Ferguson notes that bus drivers as they are making their way in their exhibit their leadership skills in many career and the reason is some people ways, including their care and compas- may have it but don’t necessarily want sion for children. “The people we hire to go to the next level,” Harwood said. want to work with kids. They take a lot “So, it’s a combination of looking for of pride in what they do. All of our driv- people who have the ambition to be a ers understand that the school day begins leader and the diamond in the rough and ends with them,” he added. skills of empathy, compassion, dedica- Ferguson, who started as a driver in tion to safety and customer service and 1983 and now leads a company with those other traits we look for when we 1,200 employees, believes leaders bene- look for leaders.” fit from coming through the ranks. “You Harwood said employees who take the understand the challenges the frontline initiative to express interest in improving people face every day, whether it’s one their key skills and taking on leadership child bullying another, the weather,

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SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 706457_Built.indd 1 8/19/14 10:38594544_Grey.indd PM 1 2328/06/12 4:05 AM Education, Information and Networking Opportunities that Benefit the School Bus Industry By Jeffrey Reed

here are a number of exceptional learning opportunities Wendy Watson, Area Manager-Safety and Training with available from a variety of institutions and organizations Guelph-based Elliot Coach Lines (Student Transportation of Tacross the province for staff/management of school bus Canada), has also benefited from learning opportunities pro- operators and school boards/transportation consortia, as well vided by OSBA webinars. The webinars are “comprehensive, as others connected to the industry. For more than 60 years, easily understood and current,” Watson said. “New informa- the Ontario School Bus Association has provided advocacy tion, and also information to refresh our memories, is offered and education services for the owners of school bus fleets and through webinar learning. The emphasis on training is valuable. school boards/transportation consortia. This article highlights And I only see them increasing as time goes on.” several key educational services provided specifically by OSBA Visit the OSBA website, www.osba.on.ca for more webinar to assist the school bus industry in its mandate of continuing information. to provide safe, viable student transportation for all. Ontario Transportation Expo Webinars While webinar learning is one important element of An important element in the provision of education is to education, so too, is the gathering of industry stakehold- remain current and accessible in providing various learning ers. Each spring, the only Canadian conference and trade opportunities. OSBA conducts on-line webinars on a quarterly show of its kind brings together people from the school bus, basis to assist in educating and informing members on timely motor coach and public transit industries at the Ontario and pertinent industry issues, initiatives and regulatory matters. Transportation Expo (OTE). The Expo provides a chance These webinars offer knowledge and information to staff of to learn from relevant industry organizations and experts in all levels – and from the comfort of their homes and offices. a face-to-face manner. The webinars provide education on a myriad of industry- OTE is organized by three partnering associations – the related topics, including driver certification, special needs buses, Ontario School Bus Association (OSBA), the Ontario Motor safety inside the school bus, driver background checks, fire Coach Association (OMCA) and the Ontario Public Transit extinguishers, Code W branding, warning systems, use of warn- Association (OPTA). There are numerous benefits of attend- ing lights and stop arm, Driver Certification Program (DCP) ing OTE conference sessions, which offer solutions, services updates, lap belts, railway crossings, vandal locks, first aid kits, and product to owners and industry leaders that can improve Class E and Class B licences, non-signalized intersections, competitiveness, customer service and the bottom line. Smoke Free Ontario Act, retention period for inspection and The OTE trade show provides a unique face-to-face net- Hours of Service (HOS) records, and rooftop white strobe lights. working opportunity between buyers and sellers of the public “Offering webinars as a new OSBA initiative is a really transit, school bus, motor coach and specialized transporta- valuable way to stay current on issues,” said OSBA District 5 tion industries. Director Kevin Langs, Vice President, of Langs Bus Lines. “We OTE delegate feedback reveals there is much value in attend- have legislative issues through the Ministry of Transportation ing the business sessions. Comments including, “very infor- and the Ministry of Education, and there are several layers of mative, speakers were knowledgeable, interesting material, regulations. So webinars offer an excellent way to keep on top professional presentations, very dynamic and useful”, reflect of those regulatory issues.” the importance, quality and relevance of the OTE sessions. From a supplier/manufacturer perspective, Bill Lupkoski, Manager, Bus Engine Business at Cummins Eastern Canada, said the Ontario Transportation Expo is a premier conference and trade show given three associations participate in the event. “It is a one stop shop for people working in the school bus, public transit and motor coach industries including government officials, school bus consortia, school board staff, bus operators and supplier/manufacturers. In addition to the trade show, there are business sessions where delegates learn new ideas and best practices and roundtable discussions which provide a tremendous opportunity for colleagues to share and learn from each other’s experiences – the good and the not so

24 SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 good. In addition, various networking opportunities not only allow you to connect with current customers, it provides an excellent venue to meet potential new customers. OTE is the show not to be missed!” Mark your calendars now for the next Ontario Transportation Expo being held April 12-15, 2015 at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre in Toronto (conference) and the International Centre (trade show). For more information on OTE, visit www.ote.ca.

Taking Pride in the P.R.I.D.E. Program Following a seventh 2014 sold-out program scheduled for November 30 to December 5, 2014, there are six 2015 training sessions planned for the Professional Instructor In Driver Education (P.R.I.D.E.) Program, a unique curriculum that teaches P.R.I.D.E. Program Master Trainers (L to R) Back row: Jim driver trainers how to properly train new and seasoned fleet driv- Porteous, Barry Stannard, Jillian Graves, Maria Holmes, Graham ers. The 50% in-classroom and 50% in-vehicle/on-road hands-on Walker; Front Row: Elaine McNaughton, Maureen Hurren learning environment makes the program a distinct educational For information on the 2015 P.R.I.D.E. Programs, visit setting in relation to other programs with in-classroom instruc- www.osba.on.ca/programs. tion and lectures only. 2015 will mark the P.R.I.D.E. Program’s OSBA is constantly striving to keep members informed quarter-century! via educational opportunities and various communication channels such as the bi-weekly newsletters, important bulletins, “President’s Portal” communiques, website and social media. The responsibility of safe, reliable, on-time student transportation belongs to everyone touched by this essential service.

Getting students to school safely, on time and ready to learn

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION FIELD TRIPS Another joint venture of OSBA, OMCA and OPTA, the CHARTERS SUMMER CAMPS SHUTTLES P.R.I.D.E. Program is one of the prerequisites to becoming a Signing Authority under the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Driver Certification Program. “My impression overall is that this program is amazing. We not only learned a lot, but also had a lot of personal growth. The master trainers were professional and the content of the program was all very relevant,” wrote 2014 attendee Nathan Solomon of Leuschen Transportation in Sudbury. “Fantastic, fun, demanding, intense, an amazing program and I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to have participated in it,” wrote another 2014 attendee, Janice Shepherd, of First Student Canada in Burlington. “Bus company owners, school boards, teachers and parents alike would be impressed to see a participant’s instructional approach transform into a facilitation technique that not only provides meaningful feedback that their trainees remember and apply for a long time, but also incorporates a highly par- 888-952-0878 ticipative and supportive approach to learning. This style of stocktransportation.com training puts very qualified, caring and professional school stockcharterservices.com bus drivers on the road,” said Jillian Graves, a master trainer facebook.com/stock.transportation for the P.R.I.D.E. Program both in classroom and on-vehicle.

SCHOOL BUS ONTARIO 2014 25 658684_Stock.indd 1 18/09/13 11:37 PM Index to Advertisers

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