New driver honored by statewide organization for safe, quality driving
South Fallsburg, N.Y. (June 29, 2017) – Rolling V Bus Corp., a Catskill Region-based school bus transportation company, announced one of its new drivers, Corey McAbier, earned the “Rookie of the Year” award from the New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA).
The NYSBCA’s 46th Annual New York State School Bus Safety Competition was held at Rockland Lake State Park in Valley Cottage in May, with more than 100 drivers taking part. McAbier not only won the Rookie of the Year award, honoring the best new driver at the competition, but also took first place in the category of Conventional Bus (Type C).
“The event was a lot of fun, and it was an honor to be able to take home a couple of awards for Rolling V,” said McAbier. “Watching all of the drivers who were present, it was evident just how many great bus drivers there are in New York State and how safe kids are in their hands every single day. The awards are great, but knowing there is that level of safety and care from all of us drivers is comforting.”
McAbier, 26, lives in Neversink. He has worked with Rolling V since March 2016 and currently is a driver for Tri-Valley Central School District out of Rolling V’s Neversink Terminal. Corey went through the company’s commercial driver license program and received his license in February 2016. He is also a volunteer firefighter in Neversink.
All of the drivers at the event competed in a specific school bus division, including Type A (smaller vans) and Type C and D (larger conventional buses). The event began with a thorough written exam on school bus safety topics, and continued throughout the day with practical skills tests including vehicle inspections, loading and unloading students, proceeding through railroad crossings, driving the bus through specially designed driving courses and more.
All of the winners in each category are now eligible to compete in a competition hosted by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) on July 15 and 16, the International School Bus Safety Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Phil Vallone, President at Rolling V, said: “We were pleased to see so many conscientious, safe drivers at the event, and Corey represented us tremendously. Our No. 1 priority has always been the safety of our students, and events like this not only highlight how much we are succeeding in that area, but also give our drivers a chance to measure their own skills against other drivers in the region.”
About Rolling V Bus Corp.:
Rolling V Bus Corp. provides full service school bus, charter bus and car services throughout the Catskills and New York City. Rolling V is a proud member of the New York School Bus Contractors Association and the American School Bus Council. The company is family-owned and operated by the Vallone and DeSabato families. The Vallone Family has been in the passenger transportation business for more than 50 years.
