Allowing someone else to drive her five-year-old daughter to school was a first for Jennifer Becker, but her nerves quickly eased once Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) Van Driver Shikita Ford took the wheel.
“Shikita is a terrific driver,” Becker said. “She’s very good with Olivia. There is nothing more important than trusting the person who is driving your child to school.”
After two decades as a school bus driver, Ford joined the Bucks IU Transportation Team, where she makes safety her top priority. “The parents of the children I transport trust me to keep their children safe,” Ford said. “It is an honor to have people who are just getting to know me in a place that trusts in me.”
During February’s “Love the Bus (Van) Month,” the Bucks IU highlighted the work of its transportation team. Using vans rather than traditional yellow school buses, the Bucks IU safely transports hundreds of students each day.
“Our Transportation Team sets the tone for student success by starting the day with a safe, positive commute to school,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, the Bucks IU Executive Director.
“Bucks IU van drivers and aides operate roughly 300 routes for students attending school across the county,” said Staci Henderson, Bucks IU Supervisor of Transportation. “February brings challenges such as winter weather, reduced visibility, and road conditions that require heightened awareness. Safe transportation is a year-round commitment that demands consistent training, communication, and vigilance.”
Bucks IU Van Aide Sandra Murray works alongside Van Driver Lisa Liebel to transport about a dozen students each day to Pennsbury High School, Penn Valley Elementary School, and the Bucks IU’s Lower Southampton Early Learning Center. Murray ensures students are properly secured, safe throughout the ride, and engaged by speaking with them or sometimes offering a toy from the van’s toy bag to keep them occupied.
“The transportation teams’ dedication is admirable,” said Richard Craggs, Central Bucks School District Special Needs Transportation Router. “They interact with students to ensure a safe and pleasant ride. Working with the IU is easier thanks to their knowledge and expertise in supporting both the district and students.”
“School bus and vehicle safety is more than just the van or bus itself,” Henderson said. “It is built on training, communication, accountability, and teamwork. From proper use of safety equipment to routine vehicle inspections and collaboration with families and districts, every detail matters. By maintaining a strong focus on safety, we create an environment where students travel to and from school safely.”
