Updated: OSBA Status Report on Safety and Regulatory Issues
Our Safety and Legislative Consultant Dave Carroll has updated the OSBA Status Report on Safety and Regulatory Issues. This updated report is now posted on our members' only section of the website! Check under 'Resources' for this report. Companies should circulate the report to safety and maintenance personnel to keep them up to date on these issues!
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OTE Success!
Thank you to all those who came out to the Ontario Transportation Expo!! The conference and trade show were a HUGE success! We hope you enjoyed the educational sessions as well as the networking opportunities. Special thanks to our OSBA member sponsors: The C.E. White Co. and EasyBus.
Thanks again to all who attended!
See you next year!!
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Task Force Report Released
The Task Force Report was released by the Ministry of Education on March 26th. The Report of the Student Transportation Competitive Procurement Task Force to the Ontario Minister of Education has been posted on the Ministry of Education website and is now available through the following link: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/12.03/taskForce.html
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Response to the Drummond Report
OSBA submitted our response to the Drummond Report to Minister of Education, Laurel Broten on February 24, 2012. You can view the letter by clicking on the link below.
Letter to the Minister - Reponse to the Drummond Report
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Ontario Transportation Expo (OTE) 2012
The Ontario Transportation Expo (OTE) is officially open for both conference and exhibitor registration! The annual conference will be taking place from April 1-4 at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre and the International Centre. NEW THIS YEAR:OTE will ONLY be accepting ONLINE REGISTRATIONS visit www.ote.cato register today!
Conference: Over 30 educational sessions for all levels of your organization. OSBA sessions include:
Child Restraints in School Purpose Vehicles
Bullying, Homophobia and the Safe Schools Legislation
AODA Requirements for School Bus Operators
The Collision. The Injuries. The Media. What Now?
For full conference details visit: https://ote.ca/registration/
Trade Show:Taking place on April 3rd from 9:00am to 3:00pm. This 4-in-1 Trade Show is the only one of its kind combing the school bus, motor coach, public transit and specialized transportation industries in one location.
For full Trade Show details visit: http://www.ote.ca/tradeshow_info/
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Letter to School Board Chairs
As you may know several school boards and their transportation consortia issued RFP’s this month. Please see my letter in the link below requesting School Board Chairs, Trustees, Directors of Education and CEO’s/Managers of Transportation await the Minister’s decisions on the Task Force Report which we urge be communicated in a timely fashion and with clarity.Sincerely,
Gord Taylor
President, OSBA
_________________________________________________OSBA meets the Minister Chiarelli
OSBA Vice President Doug Herd, Executive Director Rick Donaldson, Director John Chapman and OSBA Safety and Legislative Consult Dave Carroll met with the Minister of Transportation, Bob Chiarelli on January 24th. The meeting discussed four main issues: Annual testing of Drivers over 65, Bill 118- Hand Held Electronic Device Ban, Criminal Record Checks and HTA Loophole allowing retired school buses to remain yellow. Check our next issue of OSBA News for specific updates from this meeting.
Left to Right: Dave Carroll, John Chapman, Minister Chiarelli, Rick Donaldson, Doug Herd
_____________________________________________________PMVI Guidebooks and Inspection Report Forms
PMVI Guidebooks and Inspection Report Forms are now available. Visit the Store on our website for order forms and details about how to order!
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School Bus Ontario: OSBA's 60th Anniversary
OSBA's annual magazine School Bus Ontario has now been released! Check out the 2011 issue celebrating OSBA's 60th Anniversary under our Media section.
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NEW June 23, 2011: Task Force on Competitive Procurement Announcement
On June 23, 2011, OSBA staff received a call from Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky’s office with the following announcement. Today, Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky sent a letter to all School Board chairs and Directors of Education announcing an immediate six month moratorium on competitive process in the procurement of student transportation.
In addition, the Minister announced the appointment of a task force to review the competitive process used to procure student home-to-school transportation, paying specific attention to the farness, transparency, accountability and value of money.
The Minister’s letter is attached.
The OSBA is pleased that the Minister has accepted our recommendation for both the immediate moratorium and the task force.
We look forward to fully participating in its work.
Letter from the Minister
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Education Funding for 2011-12
The Ministry of Education issued Memorandum 2011: B10 to all Directors of Education on March 31st. It can be accessed on the Ministry of Education's main website under "NEWS" -http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/
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