Shubat   
Tour &   
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Shubat receives highest rank in MnDot inspections

   HIBBING -- Shubat Transporation Company of Hibbing earned its highest ranking ever, in the recently completed Minnesota Department of Transportation school bus inspections.
   MnDOT inspects 12,000 school buses annually. A school bus can receive up to 1000 points in deductions per bus. Shubat Transporations final inspection resulted in less than one point deduction per bus. Manager Joan Sullivan was notified by the Minnesota State Highway Patrol that Shubat's inspection record was one of the best in the state.
   Sullivan credited the shop maintenance personnel, Larry LaBarge and Darrin Gangl, for their hard work in preparing for the annual inspection and their year long focus on preventive maintenance.
   In addition to transporting students in ISD 701 to and from school daily, Shubat Transportation also schedules private charters throughout northeast Minnesota

Driver decorates school bus
with seasonal touch

   HIBBING -- The spider webs are hung, the jack-o-lanterns carved and streamers of orange and black add just enough luster to the bland tin walls of Lois LaBarge's Hibbing school bus.
   For each season and each holiday LaBarge, 50, Hibbing, makes sure her bus takes on the spirit of the season by decorating her school district 701 shuttle for handicapped students.
   "They really get into it," said LaBarge. "If the bus goes for a few days without decorations, the kids start asking me if something's wrong."
   LaBarge started driving bus for Shubat Transportation five years ago after her husband, Larry, talked her into it.
   She began with a regular route her first year but then chose to transfer to route 108, which transports handicapped students.
   "I just love it," said LaBarge. "They are like my children to me now. They get me acting like a kid again and are so honest and thoughtful. We have a lot of fun together."
   On Halloween, LaBarge will give out candy. But when Christmas time comes around the kids on LaBarge's route get a special treat.
   "We drive through Hibbing and Grand Rapids and tour the Christmas light displays," she said. "They really like that."
   Shubat Transportation donates their bus for the holiday excursion.
   In the summertime, LaBarge and her students take trips to area parks and other points of interest.
   "Once the students get to know you and you get to know their routines they don't want anyone else to drive them around," said LaBarge. "I guess I take that as a compliment."
   LaBarge said she made sure with the State Patrol that her extensive decorating was not breaking any laws or endangering any of her passengers.
   "The most important part is the safety of the children," said LaBarge. "That is what matters most to each and every driver."

Shubat Driver chosen as
Bus Driver of the Year