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Choosing the Correct School Bus For Transporting Pre-School Age Children	�

Resources

The following publications and organizations can help you choose the correct school bus:

PUBLICATIONS

Proper Use of Child Safety Restraint Systems on School Buses: This brochure illustrates some of the common mistakes made when installing and using child safety restraint systems in school buses, and provides information on how to properly use child safety restraint systems in school buses. The brochure can be ordered at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/Index.cfm or by fax at 202-493-2062.

Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses: This Guideline, released by NHTSA in February 1999, was developed to assist school and other transportation managers in developing and implementing policies and procedures for the transportation of pre-school age children in school buses. The document is available on NHTSA’s website, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/Index.cfm or by fax at 202-493-2062.

Child Transportation Safety Tips: This publication of illustrated and reproducible child passenger safety fact sheets discusses a variety of subjects relating to child passenger safety. The booklet, available in Spanish and English, includes detailed instructions for selection and correct use of all child safety seats (infant through booster seats) as well as harnesses and locking clips. Fit and installation of these devices are described. The booklet also includes fact sheets on pedestrian, bicycle, and school bus safety. The document is available on NHTSA’s website, www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/Index.cfm or by fax at 202-493-2062.

ORGANIZATIONS

School Bus Distributors in Your State: School bus distributors are knowledgeable about state laws and regulations governing school buses for each state in which they sell vehicles. They should be able to tell you about the laws and regulations applicable to your purchase.

National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS): This is the membership association of directors of state agencies responsible for school transportation. These individuals are knowledgeable about state regulations governing school bus purchase and use. NASDPTS, 116 Howe Drive, Dover, DE, 19901, phone 1-800-585-0340 or www.nasdpts.org

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators: This is the voluntary association of public service executives responsible for motor vehicle administration, driver licensing issues, and enforcement of state laws that govern the safe use of vehicles on the roads in the United States and Canada. AAMVA, 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400, Arlington, VA 2220, phone 703-522-4200, www.aamva.org

WEBSITES

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: This website lists the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect as of December 1998, and provides a brief description of each safety standard. It also provides a brief description of other Federal consumer information regulations and requirements. www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/standards/safstan2.htm

Child Passenger Safety Technicians: This website provides a list, searchable by state, of AAA certified technicians who have attended the NHTSA Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program. These technicians can provide guidance on proper child restraint use and installation. www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/Contacts/index.cfm

Child Seat Inspection Stations: A listing of child seat inspection stations in the United States is available at this website. Inspection stations can provide guidance on proper child restraint use and installation.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/whatis/regions/index.cfm?fitting=yes

Child Seat Recalls: NHTSA’s listing of recalled child safety seats, since January 1990, is posted on this website
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/recall/canister.htm

SCHOOL BUS MANUFACTURERS

American Transportation Corporation
PO Box 6000
Conway, AR 72032
Phone: (501) 327-7761, 1-800-993-7686

Blue Bird Body Company
3920 Arkwright Rd., Ste. 275 PO Box 7839
Macon, GA 31210
Phone: (912) 757-7100
www.blue-bird.com

Collins Bus Corporation
PO Box 2946
Hutchinson, KS 67504-2946
Phone: (316) 662-9000
Toll free: (800) 662-6892
www.collinsbus.com

Corbeil
5920 Castleway W. Drive, Ste. 203
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: (877) CORBEIL
www.corbeilbus.com

Girardin Minibus
TransCanada Hwy.
Drummondville, PQ J2B 6V4
Canada
Phone: (819) 477-8222
Toll free: (800) 567-1467
www.girardin.com

Liberty Bus Inc.
P.O. Box 449
Lima, OH 45802-0449
Phone: (419) 227-6554
www.libertybusinc.com

Mid Bus Inc.
505 E. Jefferson St.
Bluffton, OH 45817-1398
Phone: (419) 358-2500
www.midbus.com

Starcraft Automotive
Bus and Mobility Division
1-800-528-3769

Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
1408 Courtesy Rd.
High Point, NC 27260
Phone: (336) 889-4871
www.thomasbus.com

U.S. Bus Corp.
3 Pat Malone Dr. PO Box 329
Suffern, NY 10901
Phone: (914) 357-2510

Van-Con
PO Box 237
123 William St.
Middlesex, NJ 08846-0237
Phone: (732) 356-8484