Updating pupil transportation regulations on a regular basis is crucial in order to provide the safest and most cost effective means of transporting students. With driver shortages, budget cuts, and an increasing interest in the safety of our bus riders, new technologies are needed to keep the wheels rolling. Without regular/yearly updates to regulations, many proven new technologies cannot be implemented and therefore cannot serve the purpose they were intended, increased safety and lower costs.

   I would also like to comment on the addition of cruise control on yellow buses used for activities and long trips. We as drivers are professionals and take our jobs seriously. We have the training needed to know when to use or not use various systems on our buses. The addition of Cruise Control on standard buses would lower the risk of driver fatige and muscle cramps during long trips across the Commonwealth and beyond. The use of dedicated non-yellow activity buses is not an option for the many poorer districts in Virginia. Yellow buses are being driven on long trips far more than dedicated activity buses and need to be equipped with the proper tools, including cruise control. Cost is not an issue as many of the new buses come equiped with this feature but have it deactivated due to the regulations. Over the years regulations have been made in order to make children on buses safer; providing drivers with the tools we need makes everyone safer.