The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) sent an email to members providing an update on the 17th National Congress on School Transportation’s (NCST) National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures Manual (NSTSP), which was already updated over the summer to fix the inadvertent omission of the new alternative transportation section.

The online version was removed from the National Congress on School Transportation website as of Sept. 19, pending the update. On Sept. 29, the updated NCST was republished to include the alternative transportation section.

However, on Tuesday, NASDPTS said two other updates were made to the book, including pages 61-78 and page 377. Details on the specific updates were not provided. NASDPTS said the NSTSP “is designed to be a living document, meaning it can be updated at any time if necessary.”

Ronna Weber, executive director of NASDPTS, clarified that changes include “grammatical, formatting or inconsistency related to the Congress approved items … .”

“Proposed changes [are] often reviewed and updates are issued from the various committees as needed. However, the NSTSP itself is not officially revised until each Congress votes on the proposed changes,” she added. “Additionally, there is an interim process, which could be employed, should it be necessary between congresses. This process is very rarely used, but it exists should action be needed prior to the next Congress.”

Related: NASDPTS Weber Provides EXPO Attendees with Updates from NCST
Related: National Specifications Manual Republished to Fix Alternative Transportation Section Omission
Related: National Congress Finishes Early After 10-Year Hiatus

The decision on whether to hold the NCST every five or three years has yet to be made, but following last May’s NCST, delegates provided input on suggestions.

The electronic version has been updated to reflect the two updates, and the electronic version of the book is now dated December 2025. Each updated section is also saved as a separate link, should readers want to print the updated sections only.

“Future updates, should they be necessary, will also be handled in this manner, but communications will not necessarily be sent so please check the page periodically and refresh your link as needed,” NASDPTS said in a statement.

The post NCST Book Updated Again appeared first on School Transportation News.

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

The post National Specifications Manual Republished to Fix Alternative Transportation Section Omission appeared first on School Transportation News.

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

The post 2025 National School Transportation Specs, Procedures Manual Released appeared first on School Transportation News.