Chats from the Bus Stop Blog
Important Update: Transportation Funding and Count Week for T1
Your T1 reports are due on or before October 31. The data for your report is to be collected in the first week of October, when your school is open for five days. The legal basis for these reports is established in the Ohio Revised Code. There are some...
What is a Multi-Function School Activity Bus?
HB 96 (the Ohio budget bill for FY 2026-2027) includes language that permits the use of a multi-function school activity bus (MFSAB) for limited school transportation. The Ohio Administrative Code does not yet have language addressing the use of these vehicles;...
FMCSA Registration
FMCSA Registration Recently, communications have been sent to many public school districts regarding updates to FMCSA's new MOTUS system, which will be used to apply for DOT numbers. In nearly all cases, this will not apply to Ohio's public school districts that...
Which physical do my bus drivers need – T8 or DOT?
Which physical do my bus drivers need? All school transportation drivers in Ohio require a valid T8 physical to operate a vehicle with students on board. This requirement is set forth in Ohio Revised Code 3327.10 and Ohio Administrative Code 3301-83-06 (B)(7). The...
Federal Drug and Alcohol Policy updates
Federal Drug and Alcohol Policy Update - clarification on marijuana and marijuana products Effective this month (05/2026) offices of the U.S. Department of Transportation are providing an official question and answer with regard to marijuana and marijuana products....
School Bus Construction Standards Updated
2025 School Bus Construction Standards The Ohio Department of Public Safety has "final filed" an amended set of rules for the construction of Ohio School Buses. This filing will result in an update to the Administrative Code effective July 1, 2025. All school buses...
Does State Minimum Transportation Save Money?
State Minimum Transportation . . . does it always save money? Before we determine if state minimum transportation saves money, we should define exactly what it is. Essential transportation services are defined in ORC 3327.01. In short, we are required to transport the...
Demystifying Transportation Eligibility
Eligibility for school transportation services includes 3 different components that should be considered. They are distance, grade level, and travel time. As long as you are careful and deliberate about assessing each of these components, you will have a level playing...
Van Transportation Laws are Changing . . .
Vans – Now what? Is it true that we can use 12 passenger vans? On March 19, the General Assembly passed House Bill 54 and sent the act to the Governor for signature. The Bill has been signed and becomes effective June 30, 2025. This Bill (also known as the state...
Payment-In-Lieu End-of-Year Processing
STOP! Before your district starts issuing checks to families for payment in lieu of transportation (PILOT) there are some important steps to observe. Check with the child’s school of attendance and confirm that they were enrolled for the entire year. If a...