The recently approved National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures that was published online and has been printed did not contain a new and historic section on alternative transportation.

The online version was removed from the National Congress on School Transportation website as of Friday, pending the update.

School Transportation News discovered the omission this week while finalizing the October magazine edition. STN asked for clarification from alternative transportation writing committee chair Tyler Bryan of the Delaware Department of Education, who in turn notified the NCST steering committee. Steering committee chair Michael LaRocco confirmed the oversight to STN Thursday.

The NCST steering committee informed state delegates and interested parties who attended the deliberations in May via email Friday that an online version of the updated specifications and the recently printed books are “incomplete.”

LaRocco added in the email that NCST is reprinting the books at no cost to those who ordered them, and the manuals will include a notation and disclaimer “to minimize any confusion.”

The new manuals should arrive at their destinations in two to three weeks, he added.

The alternative transportation section that was omitted contained guidance on driver credentials, driver training, vehicle design/equipment, and special education policy considerations. It was a new section included in the specs manual for the 17th NCST and was the first time the event that dates to 1939 took up the issue of non-school bus transportation.

Additionally, LaRocco told STN Friday the update will include another small technical change.

Related: National Congress Finishes Early After 10-Year Hiatus
Related: NASDPTS’ Weber Provides EXPO Attendees with Updates from NCST
Related: NHTSA Rulemaking at Heart of NCST Resolutions Focused on Safety
Related: Updated: NCST Takes on Issue of Non-School Bus Transportation

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The updated National School Transportation Specification and Procedures approved at the recent 17th National Congress on School Transportation is now available.

The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) announced Wednesday the manual containing industry standards for operations, maintenance, school bus inspections, security, providing service for students with disabilities as well as infants and toddler, and more can be downloaded online. Mailed copies are expected to go out next week to state delegates and other interested parties who attended the 17th NCST proceedings in Des Moines, Iowa in May.

NASDPTS added that a limited number of copies are available for online ordering.

The delegates voted on proposed changes, ending discussions a half day earlier than scheduled. The manual had not been updated since 2015, due to the Congress postponement in 2020 due to COVID-19.

New this year was the inclusion of the alternative transportation committee, which resulted in the first non-school bus set standards in four categories: Driver credentials, driver training, vehicle design/equipment, and special education policy considerations.

Meanwhile, NASDPTS said it expects to release information on the 18th NCST next spring.

Read more about the NCST and the changes this year.

Related: NASDPTS Weber Provides EXPO Attendees with Updates from NCST
Related: NHTSA Rulemaking at Heart of NCST Resolutions Focused on Safety
Related: National Congress Finishes Early After 10-Year Hiatus

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