Transportation Department honored by California Highway Patrol

San Diego Unified Transportation Department has attained two of the highest ratings from local California Highway Patrol, Motor Carrier Compliance Office to include: seven consecutive satisfactory terminal ratings; and four administrative reviews since March 18, 1991.

The biennial Inspection Terminal program established in the California Vehicle Code is to be conducted by the California Highway Patrol to review motor carrier safety compliance. This review requires all motor carriers operating large vehicles from terminals located in California to undergo routine inspections of each operational terminal.

Inspections include compliance with Vehicle Fleet services records, driving records and controlled substance abuse testing procedures. These Awards certify that this terminal has achieved consecutive satisfactory safety compliance ratings as indicated.

The California Highway Patrol congratulated the San Diego Unified terminal on this meritorious achievement and recognizes the commitment to highway safety demonstrated by the personnel responsible for the operation of this terminal.

For additional information contact Daniel Gilbreth, Manager, Transportation Operations at dgilbreth@sandi.net or Gene Robinson, Director, Transportation and Distribution Services grobinson@sandi.net.

‘Roadeo school’ bus drivers bring trophies back to San Diego Unified

San Diego Unified's Special Needs Roadeo team of Robelyn Watson and her attendant, Cindy Wrightcame, in third in the recent National Special Needs Team Roadeo in Frisco, Tx.

Watson, a State Certified Instructor who is an Extraboard School Bus Driver, and Wright, also a State Certified Instructor who is an Instructor for San Diego Unified, are part of the district's Transportation Department team, which transports thousands of students daily with special needs or students changing schools under the federal No Child Left Behind act. The department has a history of victory in regional Roadeos -- organized competitions between districts to show school bus drivers' skill and safety.

The competition tests the skills and knowledge of the driver and attendant in a variety of written and drive tests focusing on special needs understanding.

Some of the areas of knowledge tested are wheelchair securement, manufacturing and laws; pupil management of special needs students; car seat knowledge and securement; safe emergency evacuation from an imaginary fire on the bus; pre-trip of the school bus (which is required of every bus driven every day by every driver!); driving skills (while managing unruly passengers!) and a written test that requires the contestants to research a variety of disabilities, laws and special need knowledge.

The focus of the competition is to learn and improve the skills of the drivers and attendants. The competition is sponsored by the National Association of Pupil Transportation and School Transportation News.

Teams from throughout the US came to Texas to participate. Robelyn and Cindy look forward to participating again in 2014. Robelyn will be competing in the Special Needs category soon in the California Association of School Transportation Officials Southern Sectional Roadeo in Apple Valley. She will be joined by the rest of San Diego Unified's Roadeo team, who compete in the categories of Transit or Conventional and Special Needs school bus.

Youth and Transit forum eyes student bus usage

Students, especially in neighborhoods like City Heights, are major users of public transportation. Watch a video on a recent neighborhood meeting at Central Elementary School attended by San Diego Unified Trustee Richard Barrera and community leaders. Video courtesy Mid-City CAN.

IN THE NEWS: Biodiesel To Fuel SD School Buses

More than 500 buses in the San Diego Unified School District will run on biodiesel fuel by the end of the 2014-15 school year.

Note: The stories imply that the district has an agreement for supply of biodiesel; there is no agreement at this time.

 

Read more

• KPBS-FM»
• Biodiesel Magazine»
  

District Bus Fleet to Reduce Carbon Footprint With Biodiesel

San Diego Unified School District Trustees voted to use biodiesel or an alternative fuel to be used in the tanks of school buses and the diesel fleet by the end of the 2014-15 school year at their Dec. 6 meeting. The resolution was introduced by Trustee Kevin Beiser.

Mandating that the fleet of more than 500 buses "come clean" will help reduce pollution in the San Diego region, helping the kids that ride the bus possibly avoid diseases such as asthma and cancer. According to the Board resolution on the topic, biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that complies with the federal Clean Air Act.

"It's our duty as trustees of the next generation to do everything we can to make their environment safe," said Kevin Beiser, Board of Education member. "This step will not only make the environment better, we will be doing our part toward energy independence by using a renewable resource."

San Diego Unified has already taken an interim step. In 2009, the district finished modifications to its fleet to create "clean diesel" buses, installing equipment that reduced particulates. Federal stimulus funds and help from the US Environmental Protection Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and the local Air Pollution Control District made that
conversion possible. Students from district automotive technology programs also helped with the conversion.

"As this equipment ages, we have to look at alternatives," said Beiser. "This resolution gives the Superintendent clear direction that this Board is dedicated to reducing pollution."

Biodiesel mixes standard diesel fuel with fuel distilled from renewable resources such as soybeans or waste vegetable oil. The alternative fuel conversion can produce lower emissions including reductions in carbon monoxide, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The use of biodiesel will not void any warranties that the district has on current vehicles, and create local jobs supporting the local bio-diesel industry in San Diego.

"Aside from the environmental and health benefits, the use of biodiesel fuel will be cost neutral, which is equally important during these difficult economic times," said Beiser.

Clairemont High Students Intern at District Bus Yard

Transportation Services Department has partnered with Clairemont High School for the fifth consecutive school year to provide students with a job-study option and a window into the potential career path of the automotive repair industry.

A total of 20 students have participated in the intern program since its inception in the 2007-2008 school year. Technological advances in the automobile industry mandate auto technicians be highly knowledgeable and technically skilled in order to repair today’s automobiles.

The student curriculum created by the Fleet Maintenance staff at Transportation promotes student learning and achievement through student shadowing of District automotive repair technicians, parts suppliers and tire specialists. Students gain knowledge through hands-on training in engine diagnostics, diesel mechanics, upholstery, glass repair, tire repair and state inspections.

For additional information contact Gene Robinson, director of transportation and distribution services, at (858) 496-8710 or grobinson@sandi.net.

Clairemont High Students Wrap Up Bus Maintenance Internship

Fleet maintenance staff and students celebrate a job well done.

Keeping a bus fleet up and running is a big job and four Clairemont High students just wrapped up a semester as interns in San Diego Unified's Transportation Fleet Maintenance Department.

The program, now in its fourth year, takes students through tasks such as engine diagnostics, preventative maintenance, upholstery repair, glass replacement and tire repair.

Students Samuel Ramirez, Tanner Camerena, Geovany Lopez, and Simon Rodriguez spent the semester at the districts Transportation Facility in Kearny Mesa, in addition to taking classes Clairemont. If their career path goes in the direction of fleet maintenance, they can use the experience on their resume.

For additional information, please contact Pablo Rios, fleet supervisor at (858) 496-8463 or prios@sandi.net.

IN THE NEWS: School board considers major cut in busing

Grappling with huge reductions in state funding, the San Diego school board will consider in June a plan to severely cut back school bus transportation, which currently serves about 15 percent of the students.

News coverage

• San Diego Union-Tribune»
  
• Voice of San Diego»
  

New Fee for Transportation

In response to the current budget crisis, the Board of Education directed that a fee for transportation be charged in the 2010-11 school year for all transported students, with the exception of Special Education, students certified to receive free and reduced lunch, and students whose household income qualifies for free transportation.

As the program rolls out, parents should be assured that all students assigned to a bus will be provided with transportation on the first day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 7, through Friday, Sept. 17, when either payment or exempt applications are due.

Students should be at their assigned bus stop at the designated time on the first day of school, Sept. 7th. For more information, please call Transportation Services at (858) 496-8460 or visit www.sandi.net/transportationfees.


For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.