WASHINGTON - Thanks to prodding by the National School Transportation Association, the Federal Transit Administration has released a brochure that explains federal rules limiting the use of transit buses for transporting students and a letter encouraging transit agencies to consider using school buses to supplement their services.

The School Bus Brochure and letter from FTA Administrator Jenna Dorn are the result of more than two years' collaboration between the FTA and the NSTA.

Dale N. Krapf, NSTA president, said the association had two goals in pursuing the issues with the federal agency: To clarify for school administrators, school bus operators and transit authorities the rules governing the use of transit buses for school transportation, and to promote the use of school bus companies in transit operations.

Development of the brochure and letter mean both goals have largely been realized, said Krapf. The brochure is "a valuable weapon in protecting school transportation contracts against increasingly aggressive marketing by both urban and rural transit agencies," Krapf noted.

The School Bus Brochure uses a question-and-answer format to explain the nuances of using transit buses to transport students. For example, transit agencies cannot contract with school districts for student activity trips as long as there are private companies willing and able to provide the service.

Transit agencies will be on the receiving end of the letter from Dorn. In the letter, Dorn advises transit agencies that "working with private school bus operators to provide supplemental public transportation services can help communities make more efficient use of their resources while increasing mobility for community residents." It encourages agencies to include school bus operators in their planning processes.

Krapf said the letter is important to school bus companies interested in providing transit or paratransit services.

"So often we are the forgotten segment in transportation planning," said school bus operator Terry Thomas, president of Community Bus Services in Youngstown, Ohio. "We are grateful that Administrator Dorn sees the value we can bring to public transportation."

NSTA is developing a guide for school bus contractors to help them pursue transit opportunities. Finding Your Seat at the Transit Table: A Guide for School Bus Companies is expected to be available next month.