Mid-Columbia/Western States Bus Companies: Ensuring Student Safety for 50 Years

Jeff Flatt (left) with the Nine Mile Falls Bus Drivers who won Western States Bus Services’ Awards this year. Left to right: Diana Bollinger, Outstanding Bus Driver; Dana Erickson, Outstanding Relief Driver; and Gary Poss, Outstanding Customer Service. Not pictured: Ginny Pendergrass, Outstanding Attendant Award.

Family in a close-knit rural community...that would describe Mid-Columbia Bus Company and its subsidiary, Western States Bus Services. The company is owned and operated by the Flatt family where Jeff, son to company president Bill, runs the Nine Mile Falls office. Our School District has contracted Western States to provide student transportation for the past six years. Mid-Columbia celebrated its 50th year of student transportation to rural school districts in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in July. “We’re rural by choice,” explained Jeff Flatt. “We feel that we can give a more personalized, family service in smaller districts. We strive to meet the needs of our communities and our school districts.”

It is the company’s goal to provide school districts with a partner who will provide professional and comprehensive management services for all students and patrons of the district. Mid-Columbia/Western States’ intent is to treat home to school as an extension of the classroom and to ensure that students arrive safely and with an attitude that contributes to learning.

This sense of family is extended to the company’s employees. At our “Bus Barn,” the majority of our 30 school bus drivers and Western States staff are our neighbors and friends, residing right here in Nine Mile. As such, not only do our school bus drivers know each student’s name on their bus, often times they know the parents as well. This results in service to our students that cannot be matched in bigger school districts. Many of these drivers have served our students for years; Sandy and Sally Ovens have ensured our students reach school and home safely for 25 years. “We are very proud of our drivers and their outstanding safety record,” stated Mr. Flatt. The Nine Mile Falls School District views its partnership with Western States Bus Services as a great benefit to its patrons, providing a more caring, and therefore safer student transportation. “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Thank you, Western States Bus Drivers, for ensuring our students’ safety on our roads in all kinds of weather.