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4 Ways To Find The Best School Bus Driver

Posted on April 3, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

The responsibility of a school bus driver is much more than mere driving. Parents and the schools entrust their children to the drivers for safe transportation to and from school.

Possessing a valid driver’s license and satisfying the age criteria to drive school buses is the bare minimum requirement. The bus driver should complete a special training program to be a school bus driver.

Apart from the eligibility criteria, school bus drivers need to have additional characteristics. This is a necessary requirement since the passengers the drivers deal with are children of different age groups and the people they report to are varied – parents, teachers, school authorities and transport authorities.

Selecting the best school bus driver

School bus drivers are hired on the basis of their resumes the school transport department receives and also recommendations from bus companies.

Selecting the best driver is about picking aspects that show they can perform the task professionally. To make the selection process easier it would be most practical to list out the traits required.

Final selection can be made keeping these qualities in mind.

School-Transport-Software--Ensure-enhanced-student-safety

1. Driving skills

Experience

Driving large vehicles like the school bus requires skills which differ from driving small personal cars. On road experience of driving large vehicles amidst small cars, traffic hold-ups, road accidents etc is highly essential. The driver experience in transporting school children is definitely desirable.

Knowledge of traffic rules

The drivers have to be well versed with the traffic laws and regulations, in general and that pertaining to big vehicles, in particular. A different set of rules is applicable to school buses especially when stopping to pick and drop off students. The rules on the use of stop arms and flashing lights, while stopping, have to be strictly followed.

Road focus

School bus drivers should concentrate on the road, no matter what personal problems or distractions he/she faces. Distractions inside and outside the bus should not cause him to lose focus of his job.

Alertness

Safe driving requires the driver to be mentally alert during his shift. His quick response is warranted in situations of emergency. Having a good night’s sleep and not being under the influence of alcohol will enable the driver to remain alert.

Judgement

A keen sense of judgment is the key to safe driving and it comes with practice. The driver’s assessmentof the oncoming traffic, aggressive driving, vehicle speeding, pedestrian behavior etc help in avoiding accidents due to external factors.

Track record

The driver should have had an accident-free and clean driving record. He should be devoid of criminal cases. His credentials should be verified and counter checked with respective departments.

Mechanical skills

Knowledge of basic mechanical skills is highly desirable. Repair of minor technical issues by the driver himself will save down-time of the vehicle. This will help in maintaining schedules with the least disruption. Assisting in keeping the bus clean and checking the operation of the bus daily are additional points to be considered.

2. Operational efficiency

Reliability

The school bus drivers are personnel on whom the schools and parents depend and rely on. The driver has to be punctual to the time schedules given to him. He should strictly adhere to the route charted out for him by the school. He should be prompt in updating parents and schools of any changes in route or timing.

Time-Manager

A school bus driver must follow the specific route given to him. He should always keep to the timings for each stage on the route. A good time manager will start early to avoid traffic and begin his route on time. He should refrain from using alternate routes or short cuts if it affects the time schedule.

Effective Communicator

The parents see and interact with the school bus driver more frequently than any other person in the school. He has to be prompt in updating them on changes in time schedules and routes.

He has to answer their calls and queries politely. Bad conduct of their wards is communicated to the parents without offending those involved.

The school bus driver has to be in constant touch with the school transport department reporting delays due to traffic jams, road construction, accidents etc. Accurate and regular reporting is required to keep the operation smooth.

Leader

The school bus driver is in charge of the students on the bus. He should be confident and take the right decisions when it is required. He should be in effect a leader, always keeping in mind the well-being of the students.

Maintaining Log

Daily recording of routes, trip times, distances run, fuel consumed etc. has to be kept. This information is required for efficient fleet management and is helpful in monitoring drivers. Student discipline reports have to be written.

3. Behavioral Aspects

Patience

Being patient with the students on board the bus is the highest virtue that a school bus driver must have. He must understand that they are children and that patience with them is absolutely essential.

Even when the students are boisterous, he should be patient and be able to control them. This will ensure no mishaps and that the bus reaches the destination on time.

At times, the students tend to become violent and fight among themselves. The students get adamant about seating and their belongings, some indulge in misbehavior.

The driver requires extra-ordinary patience and skill to manage the children on the bus and at the same time drive the bus. He should be able to handle all situations with ease.

Being Personal: The driver has to build a healthy relationship with the children on the bus. He should try to remember their names, be kind and friendly to both parents and children. He should possess a pleasant demeanor, smiling at all times. His duty is to make the child and parent feel at ease while boarding the bus.

Staying Calm

Bus drivers do not have control over what happens on the road. Hence they have to be always prepared for any eventualities such as road rage, traffic conditions and bad weather.

Rational decisions have to be taken in adverse circumstances. They have to remain calm under situations of pressure keeping the safety of the passengers in mind.

4. Attitude

Being Positive

A positive attitude is required to perform a satisfactory driving job. Bad moods and personal problems should not affect the driver. This should not be reflected in his job at any time.

Commitment

The school bus drivers must be dedicated to his job. He should enjoy doing his work. This will keep him in a happy frame of mind which will make his job easier. His commitment will be reflected in his dealings with the parents, students and authorities.

Respect for others

While the foundation of the driver’s job is to transport students, he has to respect all individuals he deals with. Each of these individuals, be it students or officials, contribute to the success of the driver. All of them have to be respected and appreciated.

Understanding

School bus drivers should understand the nature of their work. A comprehension of the high degree of responsibility they are entrusted with is of utmost importance. Understanding that safety should be his priority at all times will make him function logically.

These are the core traits that a school bus driver should have to be successful in his job. Finding the perfect fit for the best school bus driver is being able to recognize these traits.

While school buses are considered to be the safest mode of transportation for students, school bus drivers have a challenging task transporting them. A driver with ample driving experience, knowledge and an interest in working with children would be an asset to the school.

School Bus Driver Salary 2020

Posted on March 27, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

500,000 school buses ply the road daily in the US alone. This calls for a requirement of an equal number of drivers well experienced in transporting students safely. The school bus drivers require responsibility and a high level of commitment. The driver should love to drive and must be aware of traffic laws.

Job Description of a School Bus Driver

School bus drivers are engaged mainly to pick up students from the bus stops, bring them to school and at the end of the day drop them back home. He also transports them on extra-curricular activities, field trips and class picnics.

The driver starts off his day from the school-yard ensuring that the bus is safe to drive and has enough fuel for the day’s trips. He must make sure the bus is properly maintained, should perform mechanical checkups on a weekly basis and properly keep a driving log.

He drives on pre-assigned routes, always keeping to schedules. He makes certain that the student is picked and dropped off at bus stops at the appointed times despite traffic jams, bad weather, and accidents on his route.

Safety is the prime aspect of a school bus driver. He has to be on constant look-out for erring vehicles on the road to avoid accidents. Drivers must know traffic rules and follow them diligently.

The next important quality in a driver is his level of maturity and calmness. He has to manage student discipline in the bus, fights and bullying among students. In addition to this, he has to handle irate parents and school authorities.

Qualities of a School Bus Driver:

Customer service skills- School bus drivers often interact with parents, students and school authorities, so they must be courteous and helpful to their needs.
Hand-eye coordination- A driver needs to be alert all the time while driving. He/she requires to have normal use of one’s arms and legs and should have good hand-eye coordination as well.
Hearing ability- it is required that a driver needs to have good hearing ability. He should be able to hear a forced whisper with or without using a hearing aid.
Patience- A driver may overcome stressful situations like heavy traffic congestions, unruly passengers, etc, so a driver should be able to overcome these situations calmly and must maintain enough patience.
Physical health- A bus driver should have sound physical health. Federal and state regulations do not allow people facing health issues like high/ low blood pressure, epilepsy, etc to operate a bus. Because these health issues can interfere with driving.
Good vision- Bus drivers should pass vision tests. People with poor vision or color blindness must keep away from becoming a driver. Federal regulations require at least 20/40 vision in each eye. He should be able to distinguish traffic colors also.

Pay of school drivers

The average annual salary of school bus driver, as per the Bureau of Statistics, is $29,250 which works out to $14.05 an hour. The lowest-paid school bus driver gets under $18,800 a year or $9 an hour. The highest-paid drivers receive above $47,800 annually which approximates to around $23 an hour.

Also Read: 15 Best School Bus Driving Games 2020 [Updated]

Most of the bus drivers are part-time employees. This is possible as school timings are fixed. They usually work in other places during their down-time.

The regular employees help in doing basic vehicle maintenance and do administrative jobs when not on school duty. This way the drivers make extra money as well as keep themselves gainfully occupied.

The schools normally pay the drivers for the hours and days worked. Doing extra runs during vacations for summer school activities, field trips, school picnics add to their earnings.

The actual wages offered to school bus drivers depend on the previous driving experience of the driver, prior driving history, the employer, location of work and the hours worked.

School Bus driver Salary Based on Location

SL no	Location	School Bus driver Salary
1	Seattle, USA	$39,465/ Year
2	Washington, USA	$38,797/ Year
3	Baltimore, USA	$34,024/ Year
4	Akron, USA	$32,344/ Year
5	New York City, USA	$40,851/ Year
6	Minneapolis, USA	$39,943/ Year
7	Toronto, ON Area	CA$ 18/hr
8	Canada	CA $ 1,133/month
9	Australia	A$ 2,502/month
10	Alabama	$35,223/ Year
11	San Francisco	$43,841/ Year
12	India	Rs 16,255/ month
13	United Kingdom	£ 10.35 per hour
14	Switzerland	CHF 68,699/ Year
15	Germany	€ 27,300 / Year
16	London	€ 28,853 / Year

NB: “The above information is collected from various websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, Payscale, neuvoo, etc“

Factors considered while deciding the wages of school drivers

Driving experience

The pay mainly depends on the driver’s prior experience in driving. The driver should obtain his Commercial Driving License as per state requirements and pass all federal alcohol/ drug tests and physical examinations.

School bus drivers undergo rigorous classroom and road training. Drivers on completion of a licensing exam obtain an endorsement to drive a school bus. Some states require drivers to take refresher courses to retain their licenses.

Drivers have to take road and knowledge tests at specific intervals, the number of years being specified by each state. Some employers pay for and train the drivers to attain the necessary standards.

As the drivers gain experience their earnings also increase. An entry-level school bus driver salary is $30,000 on average annually. A driver with an experience of 5 to 10 years can earn $31,000 annually in wages.

The earnings go up to $34000 annually for drivers with experience of 10-20 years. Drivers with driving experiences above 20 years earn approximately $35000 annually.

Also Read: 27 Best GPS Tracking Apps for Android and iOS

Prior driving history

This means a track record of accident- free driving, clean criminal record and incident- free behavior of drivers.

School buses are the safest mode of transportation for students to and from school. Hence school bus drivers have to exercise extreme caution while driving.

School bus drivers, in addition to driving safely, are responsible for maintaining discipline inside the bus. They have to report misbehaving students to school authorities. They settle skirmishes and fights among students on the bus.

They have to answer parents and school authorities. Dealing with students and parents require tact and diplomacy. Drivers with a high level of maturity handle this with ease.

An excellent school bus driver is one with superb driving skills and an enormous amount of patience. They should be friendly and enjoy driving.

How many trips they make

Schools pay drivers on the basis of the number of trips they make in a day. Some schools hire them on a monthly salary. In addition to the daily trips, they are required to transport children on school field trips, museums visits and other extracurricular activities.

Some schools stagger their school timings so that the drivers get to drive multiple routes in a day. On average, drivers spend 20 hours per week behind the wheel.

Most of the drivers work during the school months and are off during summer months when the schools are closed.

Some of them work year-round with limited time off. There are drivers who consider school bus driving as a part-time job due to the fixed hours of working.

Some districts in the US have year-round schools. So they have full-time drivers. Special needs students attend extended year programs at school during summer.

Whom they work for

The school bus driver’s pay depends on whom they work for. Wages differ slightly from employer to employer. School districts for elementary and secondary schools pay their bus drivers an average of $15 an hour.

Those who work for transportation services earn slightly higher at $ 16.5 an hour. Those working for charter bus services earn around $16 an hour.

Since there is no prescribed standard wage, the employer can use his discretion to fix wages. Private school operators and charter bus services pay higher.

Location of work

The salaries of the drivers depend on the geographic location where they operate on. Average annual wages in the range of $39,000 to $43,500 are paid in cities like Washington, DC, New York etc.

Southern states of US, like Alabama, offer lesser annual wages ranging from $18500 to $21,000. Major metropolitan cities, like San Francisco, tend to pay higher annual packages of $52,500 approximately.

Children need to go to school and transporting them safely is a huge responsibility. Hence well-experienced school bus drivers are always in demand. Job security is the advantage of being a school bus driver. Inspite of this school bus drivers are not without complaints.

This is proved by the high attrition rate. They earn lesser than their counterparts with commercial driving licenses in other industries. There is a limit to the hours one can work.

The extra runs made by them are paid at lower rates than the normal. Drivers cannot afford the high premiums for health-care. The training for school bus driving is expensive with the aspirant paying all of it on his own.

Lack of support from the management of school and bus companies is a major reason for drivers leaving the school bus fleet.

Honest, dedicated, friendly and safety abiding drivers are always needed and in great demand. In addition to being professionally experienced, the school bus driver has to be humane to perform his duty cheerfully and responsibly.

Pros And Cons of Outsourcing School Transportation

Posted on March 25, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

By outsourcing school transportation via contract terms and conditions, school districts can free themselves to focus on their core function – education. Outsourcing transportation is now the most cost-effective option for the school district as well as its taxpayers.

Running your own buses has its own risk for any educational institution or organization. To avoid such risks and consequences, many schools are now considering outsourcing their student transportation services.

The major concern is that schools are worried about aging bus fleets, rising fuel prices, administration, routing headaches, bus stop approval, complaints from parents and more.

Shortage of skilled drivers is also a reason for school districts to rely on such professional services.

According to the recent news sudden shortage of drivers has forced the School Transportation Authorities to cancel transportation of various bus routes. Such unexpected shortage is also making school districts to consider outsourcing its transportation needs to private vendors with low bids.

The key is choosing a customized transportation service that fits each individual school’s needs. Keeping an eye on the pros and cons of outsourcing is important to make the right decision whether to outsource or not.

Pros Of Outsourcing School Transportation

Bus services are often outsourced, as private companies are able to meet the needs of these schools and save money on

Operating bus fleets
Replacing old buses
Repair costs
Fuel charges

As transportation providers are responsible for everything related to transportation, school districts don’t have to worry about

driver training and safety
specialized transportation like that of handicapped transportation
service issues that parents and community members come up with
routing concerns
administrative headaches related to transportation

Many such vendors also provide facilities to transport the students to and from sporting events and field trips. They often use newer vehicles for transporting children to schools, which improves safety as well.

With such benefits, districts would no longer have to worry about repair costs or fuel. They can focus completely on the educational matters.

Other responsibilities of such outsourcing companies also include adhering to changing equipment standards and environmental policies, which requires buying and maintaining buses, hiring expert staff, staying compliant with state and federal transportation rules, road policies, traffic rules and more.

Such contractors will also have years of experience in planning school bus routes and scheduling accordingly, resulting in well-organized service that too at a low cost.

In most contracts, they can also benefit from economies of scale, corresponding services, shared facilities as well as skilled personnel which help to improve both efficiency and the bottom line.

Cons Of Outsourcing School Transportation

Let us consider the disadvantages of outsourcing your school’s transportation. It may happen that the personnel employed by such outsourcing companies need not be a professional.

There is also possibility that with inadequate training, such people can even be dysfunctional in a school culture. To avoid any such staff issues, make sure that the partner company hires only qualified staff, if not it can lead to serious consequences for the school district.

Companies may bring in new drivers who may not be experienced in driving a school bus or even communicating with students. Other potential problems that may arise while outsourcing to a private vendor include

Hidden costs

Impact on administrative time

Restricted flexibility

Billing more than the base amount in the contract

Lack of quality operation

Flaws in hiring, training and supervision

Poorly run systems can also lead to delay of transportation, leading to further problems. School districts can avoid such issues by clearly explaining the required services in their contract.

Common outsourcing models include districts requiring full service, retaining ownership of buses, continuing driver employment, retaining a part of the system, only management, or a coordinated service.

In cases if the district’s concern is that they can keep hold of both the fleet and its drivers but need to get rid of the difficulty in operating the system, a management contract would be ideal. In such a contract make sure to clearly explain your concern to avoid any further issues.

Another approach is that district can consider contracts only for certain services, just like only to maintain fleets. They can even consider outsourcing only for certain routes, where there is a shortage for drivers.

The concern here is that schools will not be able to enjoy all the benefits from outsourcing. Small or rural districts can consider outsourcing by co-operating with other districts of similar size and transportation requirements.

These districts can jointly find a contractor with better routing expertise and specific equipment, which helps not only to reduce costs but also to provide better transportation service to students.

Read Also: Top 10 School Bus Companies

Schools must consider developing a strong, performance-based contract with their outsourcing partners to achieve streamlined transportation operations.

They should also monitor the vendor’s performance during the contract period and take expert opinion on whether to continue with that particular company’s services and extend the contract. Also consider reviews from students and their parents, which help avoid any complaints in future.

Also consider reviews from students and their parents, which help avoid any complaints in future.

6 Tips To Follow Before Buying A Used Bus

Posted on March 18, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Before you try to invest in the transportation industry you should have a clear decision on which type of bus you should purchase. If your budget is low and the use is for short term then used buses are the one to go with.

Compared to newer bus models used buses are much less expensive. But while purchasing a used school bus you should move in with complete caution, make sure you do a complete check-up of the vehicle otherwise you would end up with a lemon in your hands.

Just because the price is lower than a showroom vehicle doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. When you compare the total cost of ownership, repairs, and maintenance of the used vehicle it may end up being much expensive than a new one.

There are a lot of mediums for buying used buses even there are services online which auctions used buses. But when it comes online it’s always buyers beware situation.

Like this, whatever you’re buying medium is you should do a complete inspection of the vehicle especially if you want to convert it into a perfectly functioning school bus.

If your intention is to buy a used bus then you should follow through our list described below

1. Condition

When you complete your inspection go through the condition of the bus it’s the most important thing if you’re considering to buy a used bus. Go through its interior, drive-train, and frame, check whether they are in good condition.

Verify whether the bus has been maintained over time. Inspect the bus interior check for wear and tear look for any other damage inside the bus. Search for rusting between the joints and test the interior features like HVAC systems and audio equipment and make sure they are working or not.

2. Maintenance Records

If your bus was part of a fleet, then it’s sure to have a maintenance record. It’s always good to be aware of where your vehicle has been for the last 10,000 miles.

You can get a comprehensive view of the repairs and maintenance works made to the vehicle over the years. Since it’s a government regulation to keep the maintenance records in the bus you can understand more about the vehicle you are buying.

3. Engine and Transmission Health

Before buying the vehicle make sure you test drive the bus, some transmissions start out fine but as they reach higher gears they tend to slip.

In this age, an automatic transmission is preferred over manual transmission so it would be wise to choose the preferred one. Same goes for engines, diesel engines work better with a heavier load. When selecting an engine you should consider the fuel efficiency and the weight of the engine.

Read Also: Top 10 School Bus Companies

4. Rust and Leaks

When it comes to steel bodies rust is like cancer, once the body is affected it only gets worse and there won’t be any going back. While inspecting the vehicle, make sure there isn’t any rust on the frame or underneath the body.

Look out for leaks, automatic transmissions are particularly found leaky. Some transmissions constantly start to leak as the vehicle gets hot (in long trips).

If your vehicle is found with leaks and rust, replacing the infected parts is the only quick fix, and that would be costly considering the availability of the parts.

5. Size and Space

You should consider the space and size of the vehicle as an issue. Make sure you buy a bus which suits your requirements. Select a bus which has an overhead as well as rear entrance storage room. The bus should also have enough seating capacity and the standard seating capacity for a bus is 30.

6. Body style

The body style of the bus is based on your preference. There are a couple of bus models to choose from

Dog nose model
Flat nose model

When you are settling for a body type make sure you pick a body that satisfies your needs such as, head space, storage and interior space, multiple exits and emergency exits. Safety and comfort should come of importance when you settle on buying a used bus.

Some extra points to keep in mind
Do not look out for low mileage alone
Check whether the chassis has been properly maintained
Observe to see the tires and the depth of their tread
Check the quality of the car paint and whether the exterior has been regularly polished and waxed and whether any touch-up has been done
Take a qualified vehicle inspector, if possible, to inspect a bus before the purchase
Check the floor of the bus for spots of rust or corrosion. A solid floor is an indicator of the longevity of the bus as well as its safety
Check the federal guidelines as well as state laws before buying used buses. This will give an idea of the items that need to be updated or replaced
It is important to check out financing options to buy used buses that may be available with the dealer or financial institutions

You can put these tips in use when you visit an authorised dealer for purchasing a used bus. If the vehicle satisfies your inspection then you are probably looking at a dependable machine.

School Bus Rental Companies in Chicago

Posted on March 15, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Student transportation is wrought with complexities, though it is a fundamental issue to the school’s operation.

However, bus rental companies that are run by private transport contractors make the job easy by providing safe and reliable everyday transportation for the students to and from the schools.

Read Also: Top 10 School Bus Companies

This gives the chance for the school authorities to focus on the core assignment of education.

1. Alltown Bus Service, Inc.

For more than 27 years now the “Alltown Bus Service, Inc” has been providing safe, timely and reasonable bus service for school going children in Chicago.

They offer buses for field trips (in and out of the state) from the school, sports trips, and grad-nite celebrations. The drivers representing the organization are professionally trained and reliable.

The company operates over 600 buses over six different locations: with three locations spread over the suburbs of Skokie, Harvey and Decatur, the other three are scattered in the north, south and west sides of Chicago.

The fleet owned by the Alltown Bus Service Company consists of both modern and conventional style buses. They are also suited for transporting special needs students (lifts for physically challenged children, wheelchair accessible ramps, and air conditioning as a medical requirement for some students).

2. First Student

First Student is a 100+-year-old bus rental company that ferries children to and from their schools in North America. This company transports more students in total per day than all Airlines combined in the country.

They are connected to 1100 school districts for providing daily student transportation. In Chicago, they have offices in Skokie, Hodgkins and Elk Grove.

The company offers turnkey contracts as well as specific arrangements as required by specific schools. They are specific in appointing local people for operations and management.

For the parents and authorities, access to the local operations team is complete. The fleets are well maintained by trained and certified technicians.

The First Student buses are equipped with real-time tracking technology as well as relevant engagement and communications tools. The buses are also equipped with onboard Wi-Fi and digital cameras thus controlling student behaviour while on the bus.

3. AM Bus Company

The AM bus company is a family-owned business which has been operational since the year 1993. The mission of the company has been to provide safe, timely and reliable transportation for students to and from school daily. Their services are sought by numerous public schools in Chicago and they have over 2500 clients in the city and Chicago Park District.

4. Sunrise School Bus and Charter Services

Sunrise has been partnering with school districts for over 30 years now. The company offers regular bus transport for ferrying children to and from school daily, charter services for special school trips (field trips, sports trips, etc.) and transport services for students with special needs.

Sunrise buses are implemented with GPS systems so that the location of the buses can be tracked at all times. Their buses are well-maintained and they have a long track record of safety.

5. United Quick Transportation

This company has been working since the year 1990 with school districts, private and charter schools in providing daily transportation for students back and forth schools.

Their services are reliable, economical, environmentally friendly and safe. They also cater to school students’ field trips and sports groups that have to be taken to different places.

The driver acquiring procedure in United is done with great care. The drivers should be above 23 years of age and must have clean records with minimum three years’ driving experience.

The drivers should be adequately-trained by a certified team of mechanics and must be aware of the aides that are responsible to keep the buses well maintained.

6. Latino Express

Founded in 1988 Latino Express is one of the leading companies that provide daily student transportation for school districts, charter schools, day-cares, etc. The company runs over 36000 student rides in a year.

The company claims that its success is mainly due to its staff and drivers that help to transport the students safely every day. The company also specializes in transporting students with special needs.

By implementing GPS systems and digital cameras their entire fleet is modern and well equipped. Their bus fleet holds a Gold Level Green Fleet certificate which recognizes the company’s environmentally responsible practices.

7. Children’s Caravan Transportation, LLC

The service provided by Caravan Transportation is perfectly suited to transport the children of working parents to and from day-cares, private, public, and charter schools, and appointments that they have to keep up, etc.

The bus drivers have years of driving experience and are well trained in CPR and first-aid treatment. They are trustworthy and have the safety of the children as their utmost priority.

The pick-ups and drop-offs are timely and the parents are duly kept informed of route changes and any delays in pick-up or drop-offs.

The buses have entertainment options and maintained by qualified technicians. The children are picked up from and dropped off from their doorsteps or any specified designated location.

8. Walls Transportation, Inc.

Walls Transportation was established in 1977 as a family owned Transportation Company. Started with one school bus they grew large over the years, now having a fleet that has over 30 buses and other motor coaches. The school buses can carry from 16 to 71 passengers.

Contracted with the Public School System in Chicago, the buses run in several routes. The buses also transport homeless children and special education children.

Walls Transportation provides charter services to schools outside of Chicago as well. The company staffs are courteous, well-groomed and professionals.

7 Tips To Improve Fuel Efficiency In School Buses

Posted on January 9, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

School fleets in the United States consume millions of gallons of fuel annually. Transportation costs make up for a large part of the expenditure and affect school budgets.

Fuel efficiency and fuel economy are, therefore, very important factors in the operation of school bus fleets. The testing of fuel economy is a complicated procedure and only effective testing methods can render accurate results.

However, fuel-efficient school buses share some important common features (in the body of the bus as well as external to it) and some of them are listed below.

1: Driver’s Behaviour

How a school bus driver steers the vehicle is the foremost factor to be considered when discussing fuel efficiency. The driving behaviour has an impact of almost 30 percent on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Drivers who avoid sudden acceleration and excess idling have vehicles exhibiting higher fuel efficiency.

For every hour of idling of the engine, the fuel economy is known to reduce by almost 1 percent. Idling can be controlled with the help of technology.

Installing a vehicle idle shutdown timer on the bus will be helpful. This helps to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency by limiting the time that the engine remains in the idling mode.

Smooth acceleration by the drivers after ignition ensures that engine runs in the peak efficiency zone. If they operate the engine below optimum range levels, carbon build-up occurs and over time the fuel efficiency decreases.

Fuel efficiency is higher when the drivers do not hit the brakes regularly. It is important to coast whenever possible.

2: Condition of the tires

It’s a good idea to choose tires that are designed to have a longer life. This is because the normal buses are subjected to harsher bus-duty cycles.

The scrub loads of school buses tend to be higher on account of frequent starting and stopping of the bus. School buses should have tires designed to have a longer life, they should have a deeper tread.

Tires should have proper inflation. Under-inflated and over inflated tires can reduce fuel economy and lessen the lifespan of the tires

3: Synthetic Lubricants

Synthetic lubricants when used on the axle and transmission help to improve fuel economy by 1 percent. The axle lubricant when used extends drain interval.

Synthetic lubricants have a better flow at lower ambient temperatures than mineral oils and tend to be more efficient at these temperatures. However, care has to be taken not to exceed fill levels as this works to decrease fuel efficiency.

Read Also : 7 Advantages of Having a School Bus Routing Software

4: Axle Alignment

Improper alignment of the axle contributes to reduction of the fuel economy. Misalignment increases drag and tires get worn out faster. It also reduces fuel economy by 0.6 percent.

5: Proper Specifications

Fuel efficiency is heavily dependent on proper component specifications that have to be stated during the purchase of the buses. The school authorities seek the help of technical experts to specify and install the right components that would help to improve fuel efficiency.

• Selection of a fuel-efficient engine is the first step. Latest models are more fuel efficient than their pre-2007 counterparts.

• Use of the fuel economy mode in auto-transmission vehicles serves to improve fuel efficiency by up to 5 percent. Other features of auto transmission that can be used to improve fuel efficiency include the use of shift energy management/transmission retarders.

• The shift energy management systems combined with improved torque delivery in modern school fleets improve fuel efficiency. The rear axle ratio of such buses is lower and this maintains vehicle response.

6: Utilize Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Use of HEVs is a great way to improve fuel efficiency. These fleets provide substantial savings in fuel when compared to their non-electrical counterparts.

The fuel efficiency of HEVs is high and is improved by as much as 50 to 60 percent. The selected technology (plug-in and non-plug-in) also contributes to a small extent.

7: Convert to modern Diesel Engines

Diesel engines built in these times are cleaner than the engines built in the 1980s. Diesel is undoubtedly the most cost-effective fuel that can be used by the bus engines.

It provides better economy than other natural gas alternatives. Many of the older buses are retrofitted with the newer engines as retrofitting techniques have also improved over the years.

The modern yellow fuel efficient diesel-powered school fleets are more reliable, safe and durable; the diesel fuel provides 25 to 30 percent additional mileage which increases their fuel efficiency.

7 Common Misconceptions About Electric School Buses

Posted on January 7, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Electric school buses are very helpful in promoting a student fraternity that is much healthier. Unlike the diesel counterparts, they do not pollute the air.

Diesel school buses release extremely harmful gases into the atmosphere through the exhaust. Additionally, electric school buses present an affordable option and school districts may be able to offset their initial investment because of the operational benefits provided by them over the longer term.

The revolution is definitely underway, but it is slower in becoming popular because of the myths associated with electric school buses. Here are the 7 common misconceptions about electric school buses.

1. Electric Buses Are Expensive

Electric buses cost more than vehicles that run on conventional fuels. However, if you consider the total cost of owning an electric vehicle, they will be cheaper in the long run.

The main reason for higher costs is the batteries. The battery costs are plummeting and sooner than expected they will be cheaper than conventional fuel vehicles.

Further, the affordability of the electric bus improves as production increases due to demand. The economy of scale is what will bring down costs.

In the UK, a one-time premium is provided for buyers of electric vehicles. In the US, tax credits are extended to electric vehicle owners. Many states also offer additional subsidies. All these contribute to making electric vehicles more affordable.

2. Takes Long to Charge the Battery

The electric vehicle technology is improving continuously. The time required to charge is continuing to fall rapidly. Now, it has come down to a range of 6 to 10 hours. Ideally, batteries can be charged overnight. Batteries that are not fully depleted get charged much faster.

DC fast charging stations will be of great help for electric vehicles that need to be topped up on the go. They can be charged to their 80 percent capacity level in just about 20 minutes.

The number of fast charging public stations is on the rise. Tesla has also come out with superchargers which have the ability to increase the range between charges.

3. Power and Efficiency of Electric Vehicles Are Less

This is one of the most common misconceptions about electric vehicles. It is commonly believed that they are less efficient compared to internal combustion engines.

According to experts, electric vehicles convert nearly 59 to 62 percent of the electrical energy drawn from the grid into power at the vehicle’s wheels.

This is because the efficiency of an electric motor which ranges between 85 and 90 percent and 80 percent when the energy required recharging is taken into account. On the other hand, conventional fuel vehicles convert just about 17 to 21 percent of the energy that is stored in the fuel.

The efficiency of internal combustion engines is limited by the thermodynamic effect.

Moreover, electric motors make use of fixed-ratio gearboxes and do not have a clutch. Many electric vehicles come with motors that offer high acceleration compared to those that use fossil fuels.

It is also possible to use a “direct motor-to-wheel configuration” for electric vehicles and this helps to increase the available power. As electric vehicles are not fitted with a differential, an axle, or a transmission, their drive-train inertia is lower.

4. Driving Range of Electric Buses Is Less

The driving range of electric school buses is measured on the basis of the distance covered by them until their battery reaches the zero-charge state.

Typically, an electric bus covers 96 miles per day. If school districts want to increase the range, it can be achieved by adding another battery pack. This enables the driving range to be increased and ensure a safe, quiet, and emission-free ride to and from school for students.

According to the American School Bus Council, a conventional fuel school bus travels a distance of 12,000 miles, on average, in a year.

Assuming 190 school working days in a year, a school bus has to cover a distance of 63 miles in a day. This means that the driving range of an electric school bus is more than sufficient to fulfill the daily driving needs.

5. Operating Costs of Electric School Buses Are High

The best aspect about an electric bus is that it enables the users to save some money. One of the key benefits is the need to use fossil fuel is eliminated.

Further, electric vehicles do not require oil changes. Other maintenance costs associated with fossil fuel-powered school buses are also eliminated.

The maintenance costs of electric vehicles are expected to fall further over the next few years because of technological improvements.

Studies show that substantial savings in operating costs can be achieved by changing over to an electric school bus fleet.

Electric buses provide a whopping 82 percent reduction in fuel costs and a massive 75 percent decrease in maintenance costs per year.

In spite of the fact that the electric school buses cost at least double that of diesel-run buses, school districts can hope to save as much as $2,000 and $4,400 on fuel and maintenance costs, respectively, in a year.

6. The Batteries of Electric Vehicles Are Not Good

The evolution of the batteries is taking place at a very fast pace. It is generally believed that the batteries of electric vehicles have the same lifespan as car batteries.

However, new research shows that the lifespan of the batteries of electric vehicles is significantly longer. It is because of this reason that many manufacturers are offering up to 10 years warranty for electric vehicle batteries.

According to modest estimates, the effectiveness of the electric vehicle battery reduces only by about 15 to 25 percent. Electric-powered school buses are provided with a battery of 160 kWh rating.

It takes a charging time of eight hours. However, the fact that the battery receives 19.2 kW of charge when it runs for an hour has to be taken into account.

7. Electric Vehicles Are Not More Beneficial To the Environment

One of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution is the transportation sector. Replacing vehicles that use fossil fuel with electric vehicles can significantly reduce the greenhouse effect.

On the basis of source of electricity, the plans of the state or community to shift to renewable sources of energy, and the type of vehicle, the production of carbon dioxide from powering an electric vehicle from the grid is less than that produced when using conventional fuels to power vehicles. Charging of an electric vehicle from a renewable energy source produces nearly zero emissions.

In addition to the environmental benefits, a reduction in the use of conventional vehicles helps to improve the quality of air in urban areas and reduces traffic noise.

Final Thoughts

We hope that most of the misconceptions about electric vehicles have been clarified through this post. As can be seen from the above, changing over to operating an electric school bus fleet provides a lot of benefits to all concerned.

Challenges in School Bus Fee Collection and Remedial Options

Posted on January 4, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

The distinct yellow school buses are a very well-known and unmistakable part of school life across the globe. School buses are considered to be the safest and easiest way of transportation for students to get to and from school.

To ensure seamless functioning of this transport system, schools have to meet certain stipulations. The expense for keeping them in operation is considerable and the maintenance of the fleet is continuous. The transport fee paid by the students is the main contributor to keeping this system functional.

Pay Your School Bus Fee in a Single Touch Click Here To Learn More

Collection of this fee from each student is not a simple task, though it seems easy enough at first glance. Challenges faced by the school in the collection of bus or transport fees are varied.

Providing easy and convenient methods of payment to parents helps the school authorities in the regular collection of fees. Schools have traditional accounting systems with personnel appointed in-house to collect fees from parents of bus users.

In addition to this, modern age tools like online payments, bank transfers, credit and debit cards, preloaded swipe cards and the like also facilitate payment with ease.

Non-payment of School Bus Fees – Common Causes

Fee Defaults occur due to various reasons – loss of employment of the parent, a sluggish economy, seasonal trade, bad planning, or plain old forgetfulness.

All of the above can be remedied by timely reminders and follow-up by the school administration staff in charge of fee collections, with a few extreme cases where the higher school faculty will need to be enlisted for assistance.
Loss of employment of the parent is one of the major reasons for defaulting on fees payment. A re-prioritization of their budget very often puts the school bus fees on the lowest rung.

Long drawn out litigations involving considerable amounts in legal fees and unexpected medical expenses incurred are other factors that topple an otherwise normal budget at students’ homes.
Deterioration in family relationships like parents’ divorce is another factor. They blame each other and are undecided on the responsibility of their wards expenses. This ends up in not making the payment.

These and many other reasons can be attributed to non-payment of the fee by the parents. This being a very sensitive matter, the school authorities need to approach this problem with caution, patience and understanding. This can be tackled in different ways.

Communicate with Guardians

Communication with the parents is of utmost importance. It would be wise to send them a reminder a little before the fee due date. Sometimes the parent forgets to make the payment due to daily workplace pressures.

So a reminder would be of real help. Reminders could be sent through e-mails, text messaging, SMS alerts, letters and personal phone calls over and above the age-old use of the ‘student diary’.

In addition to this, the school authorities can ask parent to come to the school for a one-on-one explanation. This is seen to be very effective as the school can actually assess the parents’ distress and offer help as the situation may warrant.

Offer Tailor-made Solutions

Financial difficulties faced can be temporary in nature. An assessment of the parent’s status in case of fee payment would be appropriate before the school decides to offer payment plans. Some of the other factors that may be considered before offering any tailor-made payment options are:

•    Number of evasion
•    Possibility of the parents recovering from their current financial predicament
•    Recovery of the fees in an amicable manner

In case of first-time defaulters, the school can chalk out a plan wherein the due amount can be paid in a single installment.

This may entail giving a discount on the total amount owed if they agree to pay, but will ensure receipt of a major portion rather than receiving nothing at all.

If this doesn’t seem favorable, a suggestion to clear the entire dues in installments over a fixed period of time can be offered.

A regular evasion may have to be dealt with in a more stringent manner. Students may be restricted from entering buses after all the due notices are given to parents.

Some schools prevent students from participating in sports, athletics, games and other extra-curricular activities. It is a ‘no pay, no play’ policy.

Schools withhold reports and results till all the dues are cleared. Students, thus penalized, consequently put pressure on their parents to make payments.

These actions, since being done in front of peers, may affect students psychologically and should be weighed seriously before enforcement.

Co-ordination and cohesion are required between the transport department and the school authorities if these measures are to be adopted. Such decisions are usually taken by more senior members of the school faculty or administration.

Read Also : Should Parents Pay for School Buses?

Other Methods

In countries and states where a transfer certificate is not insisted, parents tend to shift their wards to other schools to evade paying any and all pending dues. Making these documents mandatory will force them to clear their outstanding dues.

If these methods do not work, then the school can seek legal assistance. It may be a long drawn process, but recovery of amount is beneficial to the school bus operations.

A sure way to ensure zero outstanding on fees is to link them to the parent/guardian’s credit card with automatic payment transfers on each due dates. In this manner when an invoice is raised by the school’s accounting system, it will be paid immediately by a transfer from the pre-assigned credit card.

It would be prudent to obtain a bus enrolment contract signed by each parent. The contract with legally enforceable terms and conditions should be in place at the start of the academic year.

Conclusion

There is no strategy that works perfectly. Parents and school authorities have to work out a compassionate system wherein bad debts can be reduced, and losses minimized so that a viable school transport system is still available to the majority of the school bus users.

School Bus Routing Problems – How To Tackle Them

Posted on December 31, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

The school transportation system caters to the safe transportation of students in buses to and back from school.

Though the operation of the vehicle fleet seems simple, it is complicated and requires immense efforts of the school authorities to run it smoothly. Routing of the school bus is a major factor in maintaining operational efficiency.

School buses have to be routed in an effective manner so that the students are picked up and dropped off on their respective stops.

Challenges

School bus routing is a challenge which is faced by the school administration. On one hand, the students have to be transported in minimal travel time; on the other hand, school authorities have to ensure maximum utilization of the bus, keeping the expenses to a minimum.

Schools schedule bus routes taking into consideration the number of students at different bus stops, the number of buses available, and the total travel time required to reach students to and from school.

Safe transportation of pupils is a crucial factor. The parents expect high service levels which often require more buses for smaller groups of pupils.

Simultaneously, the school has to ensure safe and short walking distances to the bus-stops and timely pickup and short travel times for students. Buses have to be routed so as to avoid circuitous routes and dangerous areas.

They have to avoid over-crowding of buses and extensive use of the fleet. The objective is to minimize total transportation costs. Providing high levels of service often end in higher expenses thus defeating the objective.

Success lies in gathering the right and accurate data and using the same to enhance the efficiency of the transportation system. Route packaging, time and capacity utilization are fundamental for arriving at an optimal solution.

Tackling Challenges: The Options Available

The increase in demand for school buses and the associated issues in routing and scheduling have led to a number of studies on school bus routing problems.

Routing is done manually by the transport staff at schools and also done using mathematical models and algorithmic derivations. Though these models have helped in reducing time and expenses, there is no single model that gives a clear-cut solution to this problem.

It is a combination of facts, assumptions and constraints of school resources that can be used to achieve the best results.

In all models, manual or otherwise, the objective of the school bus routing problem is to minimize the total travel distance or travel time, the total number of trips, total cost including purchase and operation costs. Most of the models are based on the following criteria:

Bus Stop Selection

The school decides the jurisdiction within which the school buses need to ply. Districts are divided into zones for the ease of routing. Bus stops are located considering minimal walking distance from their homes.

Students from a cluster of near-by bus stops are allocated a specific bus. Some of the stops have more students, requiring more than one bus to be assigned to the same bus-stops. Assignment of students to buses depends solely on the capacity of the buses.

Bus Routing

Identification of the best bus routes is the next step. Efficient routes for the fleet of school buses are charted out to pick up and drop students from each assigned bus stop.

This is based on the capacity of each bus and also the minimal travel time between the bus stops. The generated routes consider the start and destination points as the school and vice versa after school.

At times a single route is created through all stops. This route is then divided into feasible shorter routes, taking into consideration the bus capacity and travel time constraints.

Urban areas, where there are more pupils, will require more buses. Small buses can be routed to rural areas where the number of pupils is less but the distances are more. This will keep the operational costs low.

Bus Scheduling

Feasible bus schedules are worked out once student assignment and routing of buses are done. During scheduling, buses are assigned specific routes.

While scheduling, minimizing the travel time is of prime consideration. The drivers are given the expected travel time, i.e., time of arrival and departure from school as well as the time at each bus stop.

The main concern of school bus providers is during the ride time for students. Drivers have to be given ample training and should be familiarized with the route before they begin service. They have to be apprised of alternate routes in the event of road accidents and traffic snarls.

We thus find that school bus planning is mainly divided into routing and scheduling. These two steps are interconnected. In routing, we find the minimal number of trips often neglecting trip travel times.

When travel times are kept to a minimum in scheduling it often leads to an increase in the number of buses. A good solution would be one which minimizes total travel time and maximizes trip compatibility.

Conclusion

Assigning, routing and scheduling are interconnected and hence should be solved in an integrated manner.

Traffic congestions, accidents and bad weather cause unpredicted delays. Travel time in real-life conditions becomes uncertain.

Cost-effective solutions can be implemented in real time situations when breakdowns occur or when students shift residences or leave the school.

Why School Bus is the Safest Mode of Transportation

Posted on December 28, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

School buses are the safest means of transportation for students to get to school and back. Millions of children all around the world start and end their day with a trip on a school bus. Safety of the children on these trips is of utmost concern to both the school authorities as well as parents.

Children get to school by walking, bicycling or parents drop them or by school bus.

Comparison studies with other modes of transport conclude that school buses are seven times safer than average family cars. Studies have calculated student injury and death rates per mile and per trip. Risks of each mode of transportation have been analyzed.

The highest number of accidents and deaths were recorded where teen drivers were involved.Studies showed that the fatality rate of travelling in a vehicle driven by a teenager was 44 times more than riding on a school bus.

The second most dangerous form of transport was bicycling where serious head injuries were caused mainly because of not wearing helmets. School buses accounted for minimal accidents and student death rates.

The sheer size of the bus, its vibrant yellow color, and additional safety features like seat-belts, stop signs, big mirrors and flashing lights ensure that students are in safe hands while travelling by the school bus.

School Bus – Safety Features

The special safety features of a school bus as compared to normal passenger buses include both physical and technological changes. Some of them are listed below.

School buses worldwide are painted a bright yellow color for better visibility. The yellow color is visible even in bad weather conditions. It helps the other drivers and pedestrians to recognize the school bus and take extra caution when near them.
School buses are larger and heavier than normal passenger buses. The buses have a height which is above the top of any car. This reduces the effect of any impact on passengers due to accidents.
The first step into the bus is designed to be low and retractable. This helps the students to alight the bus with ease and reduces accidental falls.
Anti-skid flooring is provided in the buses to avoid slipping during wet weather conditions.
Strap handles are provided along the rail overhead for extra grip while moving inside the bus.
The buses are provided with stop arms that signal the traffic to come to a halt. This is an indication that students are either getting on or off the bus. Flashlights too are provided to alert the traffic at the stop.
Individual seat belts are provided on all school buses to keep children safe. In large buses these days the seats are constructed in a way that seat belts are not required.
This is called compartmentalization. Seats are structured like compartments which bend forward on impact. The bus seats are higher, thicker and wider. Metal surfaces are covered with padding. They are designed to absorb force in the event of a crash, thereby protecting the children.
First-aid kits are provided in the buses to take care of emergencies.
Speed governors are installed in school buses to limit the speed within a prescribed range. Theyact as a check on the driver, preventing him from over-speeding. Low speeds further reduce the likelihood of casualties in the event of a crash.
The GPS (Global Positioning System) in the school buses enables the driver to stay on the safest route. This is of immense help to the parents in knowing where and when the bus has reached. The school too is updated on the progress of the school bus on the designated route.
The RFID system installed on the school bus records the entry and exit of the students on the bus. The parents and school get a real-time update of where their wards are, whether they have boarded or departed from the bus. The school authorities can keep track of any missing student.
Video cameras are installed in the bus to monitor the behavior of students while riding. Speaker systems in the buses are used by the driver or school authorities to inform the students of any impending danger or traffic anomalies.
School bus drivers are hired meticulously to meet higher standards of consistency and safety as compared to other passenger vehicle drivers.
They are well experienced and mature personnel. They attend safety and first aid training workshops. Periodic medical check-ups are mandatory for drivers.
Schools conduct evacuation drills for students who use the school buses at least twice a year. Students are taught to identify emergency exits and how to open them.

Advantages:

A big school bus normally accommodates 45-50 students. This ensures a large number of cars off the road which in turn reduces pollution and traffic congestion. The new buses are fitted with the latest emission control engines which adhere to the concept of a green environment.

Breakdown of the school bus will be the responsibility of the school. They will arrange for repairs or a replacement bus so that the students can arrive in school on time.

The GPS and RFID systems help in alleviating parental stress to a large extent.

Limitations:

Like in any form of transportation, accidents are inevitable on school buses too. Children can be injured when riding the bus, getting on or off the bus, or even when standing near the bus.

Accidents while on the bus are caused due to crashes with other vehicles. These types of accidents are minimal. Considering the size of the bus, the injuries caused to students in the buses are normally confined to minor sprains, bruises, scratches, etc.

Reports and studies have shown that most accidents occur while getting off the buses. This happens when the students do not follow the rules while alighting, when they are hit by the school bus itself, or when other motorists fail to observe traffic rules.

Though compartmentalized seats provide protection in the eventof a collision, children can still be tossed around during an accident, causing injuries. Commonly, injuries are caused to the head, neck and shoulders when an accident occurs.

Seat belts do not guarantee total protection. Enforcing the use of seat belts is difficult. They require high maintenance in order to keep them clean and in good working condition. They need to be adjusted for each child. Smaller children may also require chest or lap harnesses.

Conclusion

School buses are the perfect fit for students to enjoy a safe and comfortable journey from and to the school. Statistics show that a child is 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking the school bus rather than when travelling in a car.

The student death rate is less than 1% of the total traffic fatalities. This is because the school buses are designed to be safer than other vehicles.

Children also need to be responsible enough to stay alert and aware of their surroundings to prevent accidents and injuries.Schools urge parents to teach their children to follow the safety rules and to maintain discipline while riding a bus.