After a competitive bid process, the Lamorinda School Bus Program (LSBP) contracted with a new school bus provider this year. First Student replaced Durham School Services for the 2009/10 school year. Durham drivers were given the opportunity to sign on with First Student and LSBP Manager Juliet Hansen says at least half the drivers stayed on.
Hansen said LSBP is making progress with the transition. "First Student is a new company for us and the change, overall, has been positive," she states.
However, LSBP was not without its challenges in the first couple weeks of school. Hansen says there were a number of calls from parents complaining about drivers not knowing the routes. "We had quite a few late buses, especially in the afternoons," she acknowledges.
A Lafayette parent shared that she had to flag the bus down to stop for her daughter on the first day of school. Hansen says bus operations have improved considerably. "We're confident that any remaining problems will be resolved," states Hansen. (We attempted to contact First Student for comment and were advised that they do not issue statements.)
The new buses are equipped with seatbelts and Hansen says that feature has drawn a positive response from parents. Hansen said bus drivers instruct the students on how to use the belts and direct them to buckle up when they are seated. For more information on LSBP, visit www.lamorindaschoolbus.org. For late buses and emergencies, contact First Student dispatch at 925-926-0375.
School Bus Safety Reminders
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), pedestrian accidents account for two-thirds of school bus-related fatalities.
Here are two quick tips to keep our students safe:
Set the alarm clock a bit earlier so drivers can slow down and keep our students safe. Motorists must be on the look-out for students approaching and standing at bus stops in the morning and students need to arrive at the stop early enough to avoid running across a street to catch the bus.
Don't be a "red light runner." As a bus prepares to make a stop, its yellow lights will start flashing. When the bus is stopped, its red warning lights will flash and the stop signal arm on the side of the bus will be out. The DOT says, "Motorists must come to a complete stop a safe distance from the bus and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the arm is retracted, and the bus begins moving before they start driving again." The only exception to this law is when a median or divider is separating the oncoming traffic.
Hansen said LSBP is making progress with the transition. "First Student is a new company for us and the change, overall, has been positive," she states. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA