Dear Summer, I Welcome You!

School is almost out and I, personally, cannot wait for summer!!! The beach sand slipping between my toes and the warm ocean breeze on my face....wait a moment, this is minnesota. Oh well it's not long off now, but we're still not done. With the weather warming up (too bad gas is rising as well) this is going to be an amazing summer break!

Now for the friendly reminder, finish strong and we all look forward to seeing those returning safely in the fall!

Thank You,
Haleigh

Rule of the Week

Whenever there is a motor vehicle near it is never a good idea to play around. This is even truer when that vehicle is a bus. If a student is standing too close to the side of a bus, it can be difficult for the driver to see them. If a student fell or tripped while standing that close, the driver may not see the student, and that is when injuries can happen. To avoid things like that, just board the bus nicely.

Riding the bus is a privilege; some people tend to forget that. We take the students' safety very seriously and will take action to ensure that they are, indeed, safe.

Thank You,

Hoglund Transportation

Interview with the Owner

Hoglund Transportation opened in 1947 with Stuart Hoglund as the original owner. Gordy Hoglund the current owner and one of Stuart’s seven children, was born in July of 1949. Gordy and his older brother Wayne bought the company from their father back in 1984 and decided to split the company a short two years later in 1986; this resulted in Gordy becoming the sole owner of Hoglund Transportation.


There isn’t much that Gordy hasn’t seen happen in the school bus world; from no power steering and small maximum passengers of 48 and 54. To current automatics that have an average maximum from 77 to 84. We even have a few newer buses that can transport up to 90 people at a time! As the cost of fuel rises the type of bus you have and its fuel efficiency is becoming more and more important. He has even helped with the changes such as designing a new type of school bus hood. The hood he designed allowed for better visibility of the smaller students in front of the bus, and made it more streamlined.

I spoke with him on April 24th, 2012 and he answered some of my questions I happened upon in my hunt for stories. Here are a few of them.

-ME- Why does it matter what type of school bus you buy?

-GORDY- The students safety is the most important thing and having the best bus possible, in my opinion is the best way to go about it.

-ME- Why do you prefer using International school buses?

-GORDY- “We have had such good luck with these; Doug Olson a mechanic at Hoglund Transportation for 20 years now has only needed to rebuild one DT International engine in all his time here..” They also have the best part replacement system in the school bus industry meaning less down time then others.

-Me- What do you think about the new electric buses?

-GORDY- A thing to come, but they are too expensive right now.

He is a smart man and one I am proud to call my grandfather! I have very little experience compared to him and he is always willing to take time out of his busy day to answer my questions. If the readers ever have any questions or comments about what is on the blog; I will do my best to find the answer for you if you just leave a comment about it.

Thank You,

Haleigh

Rule of the Week

While outside the school bus, the students should be far enough away that they are easily able to see the whole bus and not just a part of it. That means that students are standing about 10 ft. from the curb while they are being either picked up at their home bus stop or at the school.

This is to ensure that students are not going to be injured by the bus. Also we ask that the students do not approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop, and the bus driver has given the THUMBS UP for safety, indicating it is okay to board the school bus.

Thank You,
Hoglund Transportation

Troopers are on Board!

In West Virginia the schools are taking more and more steps towards keeping the riders safe. Their latest step involves having the local media and businesses help make people more aware of the danger they are putting the students into when they pass a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and stop-arm extended. Simply making people more aware of there actions is a big deal and can be helpful; but how to let people know isn't always the easiest thing to do.

They also teamed up with some state police troopers to nab all the people who were passing illegally. With one trooper riding inside the bus and a car following behind they were able to fully convey the message that they, the troopers, are watching. There were only a small number of buses that were allotted trooper escorts but one ticket was handed out.

The state itself has made the consequences more severe as well. Here are some examples of what has been done: drivers who don't stop for a stopped school bus can be charged with a felony, a driver who causes an injury faces up to three years in prison, a driver who kills someone can be sentenced to 10 years in prison. The law also increased fines for drivers who violate the school bus safety laws and introduced the potential for drivers to lose their license. Drivers who fail to stop can receive a misdemeanor and be jailed for up to six months.

I want so desperately to have some kind of police or at the very least community involvement in this very real issue that we have with people passing stopped buses. Our district has been very fortunate to have not had any injuries in years but there have been too many close calls. This is the original story.

Thank You,
Haleigh

We Have.....Websites!

I know that to some people what you are about to read might be a bit of a shocker but it must be read! Hoglund Transportation is not the only company we run. There is still U-Save Auto Rental, Ninety-Four Services, Attic Mini Storage, and our latest addition A+ Taxi! Are you ready for the run-down?

U-Save Auto Rental is a car and van rental business that is (and I know I'm a bit biased) friendliest and most convenient rental place in town. We offer a variety of vehicles to choose from and have both walk-in service and reservations. Plus you can go online to our website and print a coupon for a discount; you can even make your reservation there! Also online is our vehicle listings and what they cost to rent. If you ever need a rental just click here and we will be more then happy to help you out!

Ninety-Four Services 94 Services Inc. is a C-Corp, initially incorporated in 1970 to function as an over-the-road trucking operation and vehicle dealership.  Ambulance sales and service were added to the company’s roster of services in 1991, and we added Life Line products in 1992.  94 Services Inc. is sister company to a second C-Corp, Hoglund Transportation, Inc., incorporated by the same ownership in 1947.  Currently all sales and service are conducted by Joe Kounkel or his designee.  Joe has been employed by the company since 1987, and was the first ambulance salesman employed by 94 Services Inc.  Both the company and Joe are dedicated to providing the best service possible at all times, which is why “Service is in our Name.”  More information is available to customers, and all customers and potential customers are welcome to visit our organization at any time.  Four references are available as an attachment, and more references can be provided upon request

Attic Mini Storage is a storage facility located right down the road from our office making it quick and easy to use! This company has been under new management as of early April and is currently in the process of being renovated. We are Fixing the gate, adding cameras and many more exciting things!  Click here to look at our new web site for pricing contacting our office and updates as they happen!

A+Taxi is our newest company and is also being run out of our main office. This is an, as you guessed, taxi company. Where all you have to do is call and we come and get you! All our drivers are experienced and undergo background checks. For more info check out our website here. We await your call!

Thank You,
Haleigh

Bandannas Attemp to Board

A school bus driver in a Charlotte, NC school bus company had a surprise encounter early last week when a van blocked the bus's path mid route. Four men, masked by red bandannas, exited the van and approached Bus 112. The first man to reach the bus started to beat on its hood, causing an estimated $100 worth of damage. At the same time a second man attempted to board the school bus by kicking the door in. The driver was able to move around the bus at this point, and returned to school to wait for a new bus to bring the students home. Thankfully, none of the students, or the 23-year-old driver was hurt.


Police believe this happened because the driver was accused of assaulting students on his bus earlier that week, although he was proven to have been falsely accused. The man who was caught claimed that it was an act of protest against the driver’s alleged abuse. Police are still on the lookout for the other three men who were involved.

This article is strangely disturbing to me. I can understand, and am happy that community members would stand against someone else’s wrong deeds. Abusing anyone, let alone students is wrong; I just don't think that the way they went about doing it was appropriate. Putting all those other students at risk; who knows what they would have done had they been successful in boarding that school bus. Having put those children through such an experience is not something to be taken lightly and should never be done.

Thank You,
Haleigh