About two dozen prospective kindergarten students and their families in Alberta learned how to ride the school bus safely during Pembina Hills School Division’s annual Meet the Bus event, reported Town and County Today News.

According to the news report, the orientation was held Aug. 18 in the student parking lot at Barrhead Composite High School. It was designed to familiarize first-time riders with the school bus and ease any nervousness they might experience before the school year begins.

Transportation assistant Cindy Knapp reportedly said the longtime event gives children an opportunity to become comfortable with the bus in a welcoming environment.

During the event, students and their parents reportedly learned how to wait for and board a school bus safely, as well as how students are expected to behave while riding.

Jeanette Williams, who has driven the Fort Assiniboine school bus for more than 30 years, told attendees that children should remain where the driver can see them. She warned students not to stand too close to the bus or enter one of the vehicle’s blind spots.

“When you get onto the bus, you want to use the handrails and sit down in a seat as soon as you can,” Williams said via the article. “Never stand up and walk around. That’s not safe.”

Williams also addressed why the school bus was not equipped with seatbelts. She explained that its closely spaced, high-backed seats are designed to protect riders through compartmentalization. “The seats are designed and constructed in such a way that they are even safer than if they had seat belts, which is why you need to keep your arms and legs inside the seat,” Williams said via the report.

Editor’s Note — While compartmentalization of students using federally regulated high-back and cushioned seats works in front and rear crashes, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigations show a lack of protection in side-impact and roll-over crashes.

Parents were reportedly instructed to ensure their children arrive at their assigned bus stops at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Williams said routes are planned to allow approximately 30 seconds for each student to board, making punctuality important.

The event concluded with students and their families taking a short bus ride around Barrhead. They then returned to the high school, where snacks were provided.

The ride gave future students an opportunity to practice what they had learned while becoming acquainted with an experience that will soon be part of their daily school routine.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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CARTY in the United States, opening doors for further expansion into adjacent markets.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Canada – As a company dedicated to giving back to its communities, Stock Transportation’s Toronto West team had the very special opportunity to provide in-kind transportation for The Salvation Army St. Catharines’ summer camp. The summer camp provides local children with the opportunity to experience a week full of recreation, friendship, and personal growth.

For the summer camp, Stock Transportation donated a bus and driver to transport a total of 40 children to and from Jackson’s Point Camp and Newport Adventure Camp where they participated in various activities such as team-building exercises, music, crafts, and recreational activities designed to encourage growth, friendship, and confidence. The Salvation Army St. Catharines Ministry covers the cost of the summer camp program for local children every year – giving the opportunity to children who may not otherwise have been able to attend. Thanks to the efforts of our team and the Salvation Army, this group of wonderful youth were able to enjoy an incredible summer experience to remember.

To thank our team, Rose Amer, Director at The Salvation Army St. Catharines Community & Family Services, shared a letter, in which she wrote the following:

“On behalf of The Salvation Army St. Catharines Community & Family Services, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire team at Stock Transportation for their extraordinary generosity in providing complimentary transportation for our children attending summer camp at Jackson’s Point. Your willingness to donate a school bus and driver has helped make it possible for 40 children from our community to enjoy a life-changing week of camp. Many of these children come from families facing financial hardship and would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in this experience.

We are especially grateful for the professionalism, care, and attention demonstrated throughout the planning process. Your partnership reflects a genuine commitment to supporting children and strengthening communities, and we are deeply thankful for your investment in the lives of the young people we serve. It is encouraging to know that organizations like Stock Transportation share our desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families.”

Stock Transportation prides itself as being more than just a student transportation provider. Its teams are also community partners who are dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve through opportunities like this. Every year, they aim to donate in-kind transportation services, host clothing drives, and provide buses for community donation efforts, like the Toronto Blue Jays’ Annual Stuff the Bus campaign which Stock Transportation will proudly support once again next month in August.

“It was truly an honor to be able to support the Salvation Army and help make it possible for children to attend an overnight camp experience. We know how meaningful these opportunities can be, and we’re proud to play a small part in creating lasting memories for kids who may not otherwise have the chance,” said Renee Gough, General Manager, Stock Transportation. “Planning the donation involved coordinating schedules, ensuring a safe and reliable bus was available, and working closely with the Salvation Army to meet their transportation needs. It was a team effort and seeing it all come together made it incredibly rewarding. At the end of the day, it’s about the kids. Knowing that something as simple as providing transportation can help create lifelong memories for them is incredibly rewarding. We’re thankful to be in a position to give back to our community in a meaningful way.”

About Stock Transportation
As a premier transportation provider, Stock Transportation provides safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on. With operational discipline, local commitment, proven safety standards, and clear accountability, we bring deep expertise to every route we operate. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

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New Poll: American Voters Support Federal Investments in Electric Vehicles Broad, Bipartisan Support for EV Investments and Incentives that Lower Costs, Expand Access, and Help the U.S. Beat China in the Race for Auto Manufacturing WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new bipartisan national poll conducted by Meeting Street Insights and Hart Research finds broad public support …

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