Thomas County Schools celebrated National School Bus Safety Week during the week of October 17-21. The school system participated at each school by discussing bus safety with the students on the outside and inside of the bus. School Bus Safety Week is also a reminder for all citizens to exercise constant courtesy and caution when near school buses.

The Thomas County School System has 90 buses with 67 routes traveling 3,240 miles transporting 3,800 students per day. The county school buses travel approximately 600,000 miles each year bringing children to school and taking them home.

“When transportation is required, school buses are the safest way for students to get to and from school,” said Robert Young, Thomas County Schools Transportation Supervisor.  “This week is an excellent time to teach and reiterate to students and parents simple measures they can take while going to and from the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding in the bus. It also gives us a chance to thank and honor the professional school drivers who devote themselves to transporting our most precious cargo.”

For years, school buses have provided safe access to learning for Georgia’s school children through secure and dependable transportation to schools.  School buses are equipped with more safety features than any other vehicle and required to meet numerous safety specifications, including state and federal requirements.  In addition, all public school bus operators receive rigorous, specialized training on a variety of topics before they can take the wheel behind the big yellow bus.