This is the third of a multi-part series of Summer feature stories, designed to highlight important aspects of education both here in North Colonie and New York State. To learn more about this series, click here.

Posted August 11, 2011

Students exit the bus after another safe ride on one of the North Colonie fleet of vehicles.

5,500 students.

That’s how many children John Myers, North Colonie Transportation Director, is responsible for on a daily basis during the school year.

Think about that for a second. Five thousand, five hundred students.

It’s that responsibility that drives Myers and his staff to ensure that all North Colonie buses are safe and secure in order to transport such precious cargo. Last year, the Transportation Department received a safety inspection passing rating of 97 percent, far above the 90 percent passing rate that D.O.T. considers being an excellent or an "A" rating.

“Everyone here gets it,” Myers said. “We’re transporting children. Everything needs to work properly. From our mechanics to our drivers, everyone puts forward a one-hundred percent effort to ensure safety.”

A list of the most common transportation questions and answers.

With school starting in a few weeks, many would think Myers’ job is just starting. However, the preparation for the 2011-12 school year started months ago.

“The preparation for the new year starts with securing requests from parents for day-care as well as non-public school transportation requests and new students in March and April,” Myers said. “From there, we start the process of building bus routes.”

Bus routes are put together by a computer mapping program. The district’s Routing Specialist uses the program to “connect the dots” to pick up and drop off students. While this is taking place, the program is adding the time and the total student count. Generally, busses travel empty to the furthest point out and pick up on the way back. In the afternoon, drivers begin dropping off as soon as possible, finishing furthest away or closest to their next school.

The bus drivers who will be driving those routes will be returning next week for a state mandated refresher course. This year, the curriculum will focus on antibullying. Drivers will learn the warning signs of bullying and how best to address a situation. There will also be a focus on how to help children be forthcoming when there is a problem.

“That’s always tough for kids to do,” Myers said, referring to coming forward when there is a bullying situation. “Hopefully it won’t have to happen, but the training will go a long way to help in the process.”

As the school year is set to get underway, Myers has one word of safety advice for fellow motorists out there.

"Please stop for school buses," he said. "If they're not your children, they're someone elses."

Parents should expect to receive their child’s bus route information in the coming weeks. If you haven’t received it by August 29, please call the Transportation Dept., 785-9486.