School Bus Archives - trackschoolbus

How Many Seats are there in a School Bus?

Posted on February 6, 2020 by TSB Super Admin

School buses are the safest means of transportation and are considered to be the most regulated vehicles on the road. The safety standards of these buses are above and beyond the normal buses on the road.

Let us go in Detail about the Number of Seats on a School Bus:-

There are school buses that differ in size. It is not possible to define the exact capacity of a school bus under all conditions.

The stereotypical seat of a school bus is 39 inches wide and is considered to have a seating capacity for three students.

The maximum seating capacity of a standard school bus is 72 Passengers.

Though there lie safety problems associated with loading these buses to maximum capacity as recognized by Student Transportation Services. Sitting on the floor or standees will not be allowed under any circumstances.

Types and Seating Capacity of Buses

We all are familiar with the ‘yellow ‘ school buses. But we often see some difference in its shape and size, some are short, some are long and some others have a flat front, etc.

Apart from all these differences, all school buses follow federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Let’s Have a Look into Different Types of School Buses:

1) A Type

These buses have a seating capacity of more than 15 passengers including the operator.

2) B Type

This type of buses have a seating capacity of more than 10 passengers but not exceeding 16 passengers, including the operator.

3) C Type

This conventional type of bus can carry more than 10 passengers including the operator.

4) Type D

Type D or the ‘transit’ style buses are designed to carry more than 10 passengers.

Also Read: What is the Average Size of the School Bus?

Let’s move on and know some of the Warning Signs that your Bus Capacity is Unsafe

Exceeding Official Capacity

A school bus should not exceed the maximum student capacity. According to Federal regulations, three elementary students are allowed to seat onto one seat.

Too Many Riders per Seat

Sometimes, students travel by sitting on each other’s lap. But these situations are horribly unsafe for them. A sudden brake can sometimes cause their face to get hit on the handrails in front.

Students in the Aisles

Students are unpredictable often. If not sitting on each other, they may be standing in the aisles. Those students are at far higher risk and there is no crash protection for them. This scenario is an absolute red flag and is unacceptable at any cost.

Miscounted Students

Drivers sometimes cannot keep an eye on each student, if their number is high. There are chances for some students to go uncounted in between.

Loss of Disciplinary Control

Realistically as the number of students increases, it is difficult for the driver to maintain discipline among the students.

The situation becomes worse if some students tend to ride in the aisles. In these scenarios, the driver may fail to exert control over the back of the bus.

These are some of the warning signs that you should be aware of. Child safety is our major concern and keeps the kids safe and secure

Have Happy School Bus Trips!

What is the Average Size of a School Bus?

Posted on January 29, 2020 by TSB Super Admin

The school bus is a mode of transportation, used by students to travel to their respective schools. The school bus should also ensure high safety for students.

Most of us have enjoyed being on a school bus as it gave us a ground to stand with our friends throughout the journey, to play ice and water, to fight with our juniors and so on. This was the first place where we enjoyed the freedom of being independent.

Apart from all these freedoms, we were actually not that safe then, as we had never used seat belts and there were days when we didn’t use to get a seat to settle.

Well, do you know the size of a school bus? Do you know that it’s illegal to stand on a bus? Do you know the safest seat for your child on a school bus? No. right?

In real we were dumb about many things regarding a school bus. Isn’t it?

So, it’s mandatory for us to have an idea of it. Here are our common queries:

How Long and Wide should a Normal School Bus be?

The length of a normal school bus is about 35 feet high and 8-9 feet wide, with a seating capacity of about 90 passengers, whereas small school buses are designed with an average height of 30 feet and a width of 6 feet.

What is the Window rule of a School bus?

Just as we have a rule of thumb, we have a window rule for school buses, where each window of a school bus must be of dimension 7.5×2.5.

With this, you can get an estimate of the total length of the bus. For example, if your school bus has 10 windows, then the average size of your bus will be 10×2.5×7.5.

How much weight can a School Bus hold?

An average school bus can hold up to 8500 kg of weight. This is a rough estimate as it varies with the size of the bus.

What are the different sizes of School Buses?

Primarily, they are classified into 3 on the basis of size:

1. Mini School Bus

Length: 20-25 feet
Easier to drive and park
Passenger capacity: 10-15
Mini-buses are smaller in size so yellow paint is not necessary.

Mid-Sized School Bus:

Length: 25-35 feet
It looks like full-sized buses, but are slightly shorter in size.
Conventionally designed
Passenger capacity: 54-78

Full-sized school buses:

Length: Above 35 feet
Passenger capacity: 72-90
Other names: Forward engine or Rare engine buses
Difficult to park

Also Read: 90+ Math Riddles For Kids with Answers

When it comes to choosing a school bus, a lot of doubts pop in our heads. Though there are many pros and cons for the different school buses, I hope that this article will help you to solve some of your doubts.

How Vehicle Maintenance Software Keeps School Buses Healthy

Posted on December 5, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Proper and systemic school bus maintenance with advanced Vehicle Maintenance Software helps school districts to provide safe transportation for school children.

Whether you are managing a fleet of trucks, cars, school buses or any other vehicle, fleet management and maintenance has its own role to play.

Considering the case of a school bus, transportation needs to be safe to avoid any accidents and thus avoid further consequences.

For school districts that own a small or large fleet of buses, vehicle maintenance software will be of great help.

Fleet maintenance is a fresh and improved way of maintaining and managing vehicles. Right tracking and arrangement of data is crucial for the effective operation of a school bus.

Proper maintenance is important to track the fuel usage, tracking vehicle repair date and scheduling preventative maintenance.

With preventive maintenance (PM), regular inspections can be done which improves the condition of those buses and thus safe transportation for students.

According to the Michigan government, for safe transportation key components including expert repair staff, safety inspections as well as vehicle maintenance records system is critical.

Also Read: How Trackschoolbus keeps your school bus fleet running smoothly?

School buses are the key strength in running such an educational institution. Several challenges occur while maintaining these vehicles.

Fleet managers will often be concerned about tracking maintenance, shortage of drivers, fuel costs, and environmental concerns and secure transportation.

On-time maintenance works will help to reduce all unnecessary expenses. Meant to be well-suited for the various needs of fleet management, this software will help incomplete assessment of costs and it keeps track of all aspects of the school bus needs.

Users can also enjoy diverse benefits such as real-time insights for better management, enhanced driver safety, and consistent fleet performance.

Some of the top fleet maintenance software include upkeep, VMax Compass, Husky Intelligence, Fleet Harmony, TATEMS, InfoTrac Fleet, FleetFocus, Contele Fleet Tracking, and sure feet.

Most vehicle maintenance software comes with advanced features to perform diverse functions including

Management of Maintenance Activities

School bus management often records information of driver, buses and daily routes.

With advanced fleet maintenance software, vehicle maintaining staff can focus on repairs as well as preventive maintenance aspect of managing school buses.

You can also manage all sorts of activities such as keeping track of warranty data, work orders, parts management, maintenance schedules, and vehicle lifespan tracking.

Asset Tracking

Management of assets is a critical task of fleet management. From the initial purchase of school buses through its disposal, vehicle maintenance software helps to control every aspect of any vehicle, equipment, and other such assets within your institution.

With this software, users can allocate the order and information for all units and systems and components including assignments of location, repair and maintenance history, warranties of parts, fuel and oil usage, vehicle technical data, machine operating details and performance history.

With this wide array of information, the staff can also take control of the asset.

Fuel Management

Tracking fuel usage is critical to saving costs.

As increased consumption of fuel leads to increased expenses, it is crucial to make your staff be alert to the usage of fuel.

This vehicle maintenance software will provide clear information regarding this such as fuel level, temperature, speed, engine block, route direction, location and more.

The fleet manager would be able to track the details of all the vehicles in real-time and thus get a clear idea about how the vehicles are handled by your drivers.

Check how your vehicle’s fuel usage impacts the operating costs of school transportation. You can also note those high consumption vehicles and allot them accordingly.

GPS Tracking

Most software of this type comes with a GPS tracking facility, which increases the security of your buses.

Also Read: What is GPS?

You can track where your school bus is and through which route this vehicle goes. The data management process will be much easier. You can also get reminders regarding your document’s clearances as well as permits.

Also, consider tracking route optimization and driver’s speed for better maintenance of your fleet.

GPS fleet tracking feature helps in detecting theft as well as the illegal usage of buses.

Tracking also helps in the recovery of any stolen vehicles. Managers can also keep track of the drivers they have employed.

Cloud-based software is also widely available that helps school bus fleet owners to manage fleet operations in a smooth way. Make sure that you are choosing software that is compatible with your fleet management requirement.

15 Common Road Hazards and how to deal with them

Posted on October 25, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Nowadays, many qualified drivers consider driving as an easy task and seem to have no worries about it. But, the fact is that there are numerous road hazards in driving and they are still growing.

This blog discusses 15 common road hazards and the best ways to prevent them.

1. Hydroplaning or Skidding Out of Control

Skidding or sliding of cars occurs when there is a lack of friction between tire and road. This usually occurs when driving in wet or icy conditions, stopping suddenly or entering a turn at a high speed.

Preventive Measures:

You need to adjust your driving in adverse conditions. You need to slow down if the road conditions are anything less than ideal. You should never try to jerk the wheel, as this may cause you to quickly lose control of the vehicle. In addition, you need to maintain your tires properly. This will reduce the chances of hydroplaning.

2. Tire Blowout

It occurs when a tire bursts that is accompanied by a loss of air pressure. In fact, most blowouts are caused by too little air pressure. This in turn allows the tire to flex beyond elastic limits until it overheats to the point where the rubber loses its bond to the internal fabric and steel cord reinforcement.

Preventive Measures:

You need to focus on controlling your vehicle and getting safely to the side of the road to assess the situation.

Always be careful of debris on the road, look far in front of you for road debris. Slow down, if you see any and change the lane safely away from debris. You should maintain your tires properly as weak tires are more likely to a blowout.

3. Car Lands in Lake

This is when your car falls into a deep part of the water.

Preventive Measures:

You need to drive defensively and at a safe speed whenever you are near water. You should be very careful when driving in flood conditions. You need to avoid flood-prone roads in heavy rains.

If you find yourself in rising water, then get your family out of the car and move to higher ground.

4. Toddler Climbs Out of Car Seat

It occurs when the toddler unbuckles his/ her car seat belt and stands up in the back of the car.

Preventive Measures:

You should never engage in discussions with your child about why he/she can’t get out of his car seat.

Instead, you need to tell your child that it is not allowed. You should also make sure that the harness is snug enough.

5. Baby Starts Wailing

It happens when your baby starts to scream and wail while you are driving and you may not be able to console him/ her.

Preventive Measures:

If you are with your spouse, then you need to take turns riding in the back alongside the baby. You need to play with your baby and keep him/her engaged with soft toys, rattles, and books.

When you are going on long road trips with your baby, you need to take frequent breaks to accommodate his/her needs and to keep you from feeling frazzled.

Also Read: Top 18 Road Safety Rules to Teach Your Children

6. Car Slams into You

It happens when a driver coming from the opposite direction runs a red light and fails to see you and his car accidentally hits your front fender, sending plastic, metal, and glass into the air.

Preventive Measure:

You need to drive defensively by staying fully alert on the road. You should not eat, apply makeup, or use a cell phone while driving, and never get behind the wheel if you are sleep-deprived or have been drinking. Never drive too closely behind another vehicle.

You need to keep a safe following distance while driving.

Use the three-second rule to measure the safe following distance: – When the car ahead of you passes a fixed object such as a sign, fence, corner or overpass, you need to start counting seconds and at least three seconds need to pass before your car passes the same object.

You need to brake firmly before you collide, in the case of an unavoidable crash.

7. Fog Clouds Your View

These road hazards occurs when the fog completely blocks your vision and makes it difficult to see even the traffic light.

Preventive Measures:

Avoid driving in foggy conditions. You must reduce the speed of your car if you encounter unexpected fog.

You should open your windows to know the traffic. Always be patient and never switch lanes if you don’t have to.

You should never stop on a busy road in a dense fog. This will put you at risk of being hit.

8. Bicyclists

It is most common for a cyclist to get hit by a vehicle.

Preventive Measure:

You need to give bicyclists plenty of room and keep an eye out for them. In fact, some bicyclists tend to drive too closely to cars.

Therefore, you need to keep a safe distance from bicyclists on the road.

9. Small Animals

These road hazards occur when you accidentally hit a small animal while driving your car.

Preventive Measure:

In this case, you must weigh your potential loss of life against theirs. You need to be extra careful when trying to avoid them. Never put your life or vehicle in danger.

When you are about to hit a small animal, you need to brake rather than swerving to avoid it as swerving can lead to a worse collision with a tree or an oncoming vehicle.

10. Pedestrians

Pedestrians are greatly vulnerable to being hit by vehicles and bicycles. A person who jaywalks or recklessly cross a street creates a hazard for themselves and drivers.

Here are a few safety tips for pedestrian:

When walking at night, you need to wear reflective clothing. It alerts the drivers that you are on the side of the road.
You need to walk with a flashlight. This alerts vehicles and cyclists that you are on the sidewalk. However, you need to keep your flashlight pointed towards the ground.
You need to walk on the sidewalks.
When you are walking with your dogs or any other pets, try to keep them on a short leash. You must also ensure that they cannot slip their heads out of their collars or escape their harnesses. You need to walk in between the road and your pet.
You need to cross only when the walking signal is displayed.
Pedestrians should avoid using mobile phones while crossing the road.
Drivers should be aware of their surroundings. They must focus on driving safely in a pedestrian dense area such as a shopping center.

11. Construction Zones

Road construction zones are a deadly road hazards for workers, motorists, and pedestrians.

Preventive Measure:

When you come across a construction zone, you need to slow down and drive carefully. You must be prepared to safely change lanes and watch out for road workers.

12. Potholes

Potholes can be highly dangerous when some drivers try to swerve around a pothole and get into accidents.

Preventive Measures:

If you see a pothole on the road, keep a firm grip on your steering wheel. You need to slow down and if you feel it is safe, try to drive around the pothole.

13. Large Trucks

These road hazards occur when a passenger vehicle collides with large trucks.

Preventive Measures:

It is recommended that if you are following a truck, stay out of its blind spots or “NoZone” to the sides and rear.

You should avoid following a truck too closely. You need to position your vehicle; which makes it possible for the truck to see it in his or her side mirrors.

A truck merging into traffic requires more time to accelerate and reach a normal speed than a car’s needs.

You must be prepared to slow down to allow the truck to merge safely. If you encounter a truck coming from the opposite direction, you need to keep as far as possible to the side in order to avoid a sideswipe accident and to reduce the wind turbulence between the two vehicles.

Truck drivers usually have to swing wide to the left to safely make a right turn. You need to give them plenty of room, and never cut in between them and the curb or shoulder to the right.

Also Read: 6 Ways to Reduce School Zone Traffic Congestion

14. When Children are Nearby Walking or Playing

Children lack the capacity to assess the situations or circumstances shrewdly. They do not know how dangerous moving vehicles are and can suddenly run to chase a ball across the street, or simply to go home.

Preventive Measure:

Whenever you see children around while driving, try to reduce the speed of the vehicle and prepare to stop.

15. Blinded by Glare

It is when the glare from the headlights of a car coming from the opposite direction with high beams falls directly on your eyes. This can lead to blurriness and this temporary blindness often leads to accidents.

Preventive Measure:

You need to check your eyesight on a regular basis and if you wear spectacles or contact lenses, then keep them up-to-date.

Older people should avoid night driving and if it is necessary, then they need to drive slowly.

Always choose to drive on the slow lane on multilane highways. You should drive slowly and adjust your speed to the reach of your headlights.

Looking down toward the right side of the road helps you from being blinded by the high beams that directly fall into your eyes. You should also concentrate on the edge of the lane or the painted edge line until the vehicle passes.

Conclusion

A driver should be careful while driving to avoid serious road hazards that may occur at any time.

Driving is not an easy job, it should be done with focus. So next time when you start your vehicle be careful and move safe.

Sex Offenders On School Buses

Posted on July 9, 2019March 28, 2024 by TSB Super Admin

Sexual offenses are of different types. Rape, child molestation and sexual abuse are the most common. Rapists commit rape, child molesters sexually abuse minors and sexual abuse is forceful sexual contact.

Sex offenders use different modus operandi to lure or abduct their victims. Children are innocent and are unable to comprehend a predator’s actions.

Sex offenders can be found on the school buses and off the school buses at bus-stops and near schools.

Sex offenders on school buses

Sex offenders manage to get on the school buses mainly when it has been parked at locations or when the driver leaves the bus unattended for a short while. This happens mostly when the children go out on field trips or school picnics.

Sex offenders, mainly interested in molesting children, pry open the doors of the bus or simply walk in. They hide behind the bus where the driver’s visibility is low. It is horrifying for all to find an offender amidst a bunch of students.

It is now mandatory that the drivers do a walk-through of the bus while entering or exiting a bus. This ensures that no one has entered and that the seats are empty. He has to do a front- to- back check of the bus before he lets the children in.

In some cases, the sex offender steals a school bus and drives it along the route found in the bus. This happens when the keys are left on the bus. Bus drivers have to take extra care to see that the keys are off the bus and the windows and doors are locked before he leaves the bus.

Sex offenders off school buses

School bus stops are normally decided upon by taking into consideration parental demands as well as traffic regulations. The potential hazard mostly overlooked is the proximity of the bus stops to sex offender’s homes.

It is dangerous to have children wait unsupervised near homes of habitual offenders with a past history of sexual abuse. Sexual predators stalk and abduct children. Locating stops at such places are causes for trouble.

School districts while charting the routes and fixing stops do not always succeed in steering clear of sex offender proximity. But they do heed to parental concerns and shift the stops as per their request.

Pre-cautions

A register with the police provide a list of sex offenders in a particular area. School districts can access them before fixing stops. These lists are available to transportation personnel and the public.

Several states publish data online with details of name, street address and photo and even criminal history of the sex offender. They are categorized as low, medium and high risk offenders. Medium and high-risk offenders are those who have committed violent crimes or who repeat offenses.

School officials are entitled to view this list. Parents and community members can access this list. It would be advisable to consult all parties concerned before a stop is fixed or moved. This will help in reducing potential danger to the children.

As the parent it would be advisable to do a pre-emptive check on the neighborhood for any sex offenders residing there. All registered offenders do not pose a threat as they may not be involved with children. It would be pertinent to be constantly aware of them and to not instigate a problem with them.

Parents have to chaperone their children to the bus-stop however inconvenient it may be. Chaperoning duties can be shared among parents of children using the same bus stop.

Even if the bus stop is moved from the vicinity of a sex offender he will still be in the neighborhood. Hence it would be wise to escort the child to the bus stop daily to ward off any unwanted situations.

School districts are to be notified by parents of any danger to their child’s safety. If alerted promptly the bus stops can be moved.

Each school district being different, the policy on sex offenders differ. It is best the parents update themselves and be aware of the policies.

Software used in school bus routing and scheduling have functions that alert the user when the bus stop is close to that of a registered offender. The application treats the student similar to that living on a hazardous road and creates a bus stop in front of the student’s residence.

Educating children, parents and community members about the possible predatory behavior of child molesters is essential. Distributing pamphlets, information, public announcements to parents, students, teachers, school staff, the care givers can create awareness of the potential problems. Persons who are frequently in touch with children should be wary and pay attention to any such individuals.

Educating the young students about the threats they may face from the apparently friendly strangers and known persons is necessary. Children of all ages have to be educated on unnatural behavior in an age-appropriate manner that they can comprehend.

Punishment

Sexual conduct against a child, predatory sexual assault, stalking a child, using a child in sexual acts, distributing indecent material to children, luring a child, aggravated assault on a child and persistent sexual abuse are crimes of sexual exploitation.

The maximum penalty for these crimes against children is 15 years of imprisonment and the minimum sentence is probation depending on the crime.

If the sex offender is a driver, they are permanently disqualified or banned for 5 years depending on the severity of the action.

Behavioral aspects

To detect sex offenders who are not registered is not easy. They skillfully manipulate the child, family and community with kindness and charm. His behavior is attributed to normal adult-child relations. His deviant intentions go unnoticed.

The sex offender gains access to the vulnerable child, gains the child’s trust, and assures the child’s secrecy to avoid disclosure. He will try to isolate the child from the rest.

Child molesters seek jobs that bring them into contact with children. They come as teachers, bus drivers, coaches or even counselors. In professional capacities the molester has access to the child alone after school hours or on field trips.

The chances of convicted sex offenders repeating an offense cannot be gauged accurately. Professionals dealing with them admit that a good number of them do re-offend.

Adult sex offenders are found unlikely to change in behavior even with counseling and help. Experts say that most of the offenders repeat if not given professional help.

No amount of technology can completely protect children from harmful situations. School and parents have to work together to offer protection to the children.

What To Do When A School Bus Catches Fire

Posted on June 18, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Bus transportation is considered as one of the safest modes of transit for students. But, a fire resulting from a collision or failure of a component puts lives at risk and can have an enormous impact on operational costs as well.

There are diverse reasons that can cause fire in a school bus – due to mechanical failures, wires got loose and rub against engine parts, overload of circuit boards, explosion of tires or even leaks that release inflammatory fluids.

In most cases, school bus fires start in the engine area, running gear, or wheel area of the vehicle. Studies analyze that the most frequent cause of ignition was failure of equipment or heat source.

Along with transporting students safe to and from school, school bus drivers and attendees may have to handle even certain emergency situations such as a bus crash, accident or fire.

In such a situation, they are responsible to supervise all students and follow procedures for the appropriate release of students

According to the U.S. government statistics, on an average – 379 school bus fires happen each year, though deaths are rare from such fire incidents.

Drivers in school bus must be well trained by the school district board to take immediate action, if they doubt any smoke or fire in any portion of the bus or even if the bus is near an existing fire and they are unable to move the bus away.

In such a scenario, take quick actions such as

Stop the bus in a safe area
Vacate the bus
Call Bus Dispatch number
Use fire extinguisher

Evacuate the bus

Organize students for a transfer to another school bus. School bus fire evacuation drills and training is important for drivers to rescue students from a burning bus.

Such drills can also help students to stay prepared in safely escaping from the bus. Students will be able to know when and how to evacuate as well as the relevance of evacuating in an orderly way.

To evacuate the bus, drivers should –

Call for bus dispatch, shut off motor, set brake and remove key
Decide the right evacuation route, which ever you think is appropriate – let that be exit door, front or side doors, roof hatch or even windows.
Ensure that the attendees are helping students to get off safely and assemble everyone together
In case of time shortage, instruct students to leave their bags and other personal belongings on the bus and make sure that everyone has left
Leave the bus only after all the students leave and remember to take your cell phone as well as the first aid kit
Follow the correct student release procedures and do not re-enter the bus until recommended by the authorities
Follow correct transfer procedures, in case if you are transferring students to another bus. Ask them to move to that bus in an orderly manner, drivers should stay alert until the transfer is complete.
Designate older students to help the young ones in evacuation

Use fire suppression systems

Fire suppression systems can help to extinguish fire immediately. Such advanced systems release a mist or powder to extinguish the fire, when the temperature reaches a certain level.

Installation and testing of such fire suppression systems in engine compartments is now getting mandatory in buses as well as coaches.

These systems –

Provide extra time for students with disabilities to leave the bus
Can put out fire for rear-engine buses, even before driver might be aware of the incident

Maintenance staff and supervisors should also undergo thorough training during installation of such systems.

School districts can take certain steps to prevent such incidents such as replacing old buses with new ones, either by purchasing them or by getting benefits from a lease program.

Drivers should be recommended to inspect their school buses daily before every trip, check for leaks and make sure that all exit doors open perfectly, making the bus ready for any such emergency situations.

10 Places To Buy A School Bus For Cheap

Posted on June 11, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

A detailed study has to be done when buying an old school bus to arrive at a wise decision.Traditionally buses were bought directly from previous users.

In this age of technology, the owners advertise the vehicle to be sold on internet sites making comparisons of the models of buses on sale easy. Bids for auctions can also be made online making the process simpler.

10 places to buy a school bus for cheap

1. Buses from schools

The best and the easiest place to find a used school bus are school districts or schools. These buses will be serviced and maintained regularly as the schools take safety of the children very seriously.

First-hand information of the buses and assessment by mechanics who have been servicing the vehicle can be obtained. On the whole, the buses from schools tend to be well taken care of.It is advantageous to buy buses directly from school districts or schools.

2. Govdeals.com

This is a government auction site. They sell a varied range of products from building materials to musical instruments. The advantage of this site is that they show the contact information of the sellers of the product.

This helps in contacting them and assessing the product before placing the bid at the auction.

3. eBay.com

eBay is another place to search for a school bus. eBay provides a wider area of search and one can opt for local pick up. The biggest advantage of using eBay is that they have a money back policy.

If you don’t receive the item ordered, if the item is faulty or damaged, or if the features do not match the description all the money paid will be refunded.

4. Publicsurplus.com

Public Surplus is an auction site which is open to the general public. The businesses post their surplus items for sale and auction on this site.

They sell all sorts and types of surplus items in addition to buses. So their bids start very low. The auction items have detailed descriptions. They also mention who is auctioning the item. You can have a better idea of the condition of the bus before placing the bid.

5. Craiglist.com

This option enables one to find an affordable bus in the area closer to school. A thorough checking of the bus is recommended before actual purchase.

6. The Facebook marketplace

This is another version of Craigslist. This helps in finding a bus locally. It is beneficial to buyers who do not want to travel for purchases.

7. Nwbus.com

This site sells different types of buses. You can buy used buses or new. You can even build a bus to your requirement. The prices are slighter higher. But this place ensures that you are getting a bus that has been fully maintained and inspected for safety.

The site also offers finance options to pay for the bus. They have efficient customer service networks who respond promptly.

8. American Bus Sales

American Bus Sales has been a trusted supplier of used buses from 2004. They have a wide range of buses including Blue Bird, Thomas, Ford, Chevrolet, IC buses. Most of the buses they come with added benefits of a warranty.

9. National Bus Sales

National Bus Sales offers used school buses from a variety of brands including Blue Bird, Chevrolet, Collins, Ford, Starcraft, Thomas, Midbus, and Titan.

A search of their bus inventory for featured school buses will help in spotting the required vehicle. The benefit of buying from National Bus Sales is the extensive warranty support offered by them.

Most vehicles carry an existing manufacturer’s warranty, a two year drive train warranty and an additional warranty backed by National Bus Sales Quality Guarantee. They offer commercial warranties for school buses 10 years old.

10. Central States Bus

Central States Bus is a one-stop shop for school transportation needs. They deal in new and used buses. They have a stock of spare parts and accessories. They provide technical support. Their vehicles come with warranties.

Factors to be considered while buying an old school bus

The availability of used buses, suppliers of buses and technical and mechanical aspects have to be thoroughly checked before the actual purchase is made. A feasibility study is warranted to assess whether the overall cost is cheap and if the purchase is worth the money paid.

In addition to seating capacity, comforts of the driver and condition of the vehicle, a look at the following factors in detail would be of immense help while buying an old school bus.

1. Look to suitable regions:

Buses being used in areas without snow and rain will be in better conditions. Rain and snow causes rust and faster deterioration of mechanical equipment. Buses plying in drier regions will have lesser chances of rusty parts.

2. Type of buses

There are front and rear engine buses. Front engine buses come at a lower cost and higher seating capacity. Rear engine buses are slightly more expensive and have a lower seating capacity.

3. Driver comfort

The conventional front engine buses have the engine in front of the driver. The drivers have to endure the heat which is uncomfortable. The drivers prefer rear engine buses.

4. History of the bus

Knowledge of the number of years the bus has been in operation and the mileage covered gives a very basic idea about the condition of the bus.

Older buses in all probability would have had their engine or transmissions replaced. The date of replacement and details of equipment used has to be obtained.

5. Chassis and engine

The condition of the chassis determines the life of the bus. Ensuring the engine is in perfect condition is important. These two parts have the biggest cost factor.

6. Rust

In places where it snows heavily during winter the roads are heavily salted. This causes the vehicles to rust. Rains too cause rust on the metal parts partly due to ageing of the buses and partly due to the quality of the metal used. Rust spreads.

Most of the old school buses will have rust. The buyer needs to make sure that the rust is minimal and easy to remove.

7. Worn out tires

When school buses go on sale their tires would be worn out, it would be advisable to check the amount of tread left on them. Replacing four to six tires of a school bus would cost thousands and may not make the purchase viable.

On the contrary worn out tires can be used as pretext to lower the price of the bus given that everything else on the bus is in perfect working condition.

8. Fluid leaks

Check the underneath of the bus for leaks, cracked hoses, oils or other fluids. It would not be advisable to buy a bus that is found to be leaking.

Fixing serious problems mechanical aspects in an old bus can become very expensive. It would be better to avoid buying buses with mechanical and engine problems however cheap they may be.

9. Battery condition

Bus batteries, per se, are very expensive to replace. An assessment of how old the battery is and when it was replaced is essential. It is better to check the battery for corrosion and leakage.

The battery compartment has to be corrosion free. The battery has to be in good working condition as the bus has to perform in varied weather conditions.

School Bus Transportation Security – 18 Practices to Follow

Posted on May 15, 2019March 28, 2024 by TSB Super Admin

School buses are considered to be the safest means of transportation for students in every country, mainly because these buses meet federal regulation.

Each country follows its own standards and principles in maintaining safety in school bus transportation. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards, school buses should be different in design and must be protected by the law, unlike passenger vehicles.

The administration also recommends compartmentalization as an ideal option for large buses to protect students from crashes. At the same time, small school buses should come with lap or shoulder belts for all seats, which provide better security.

According to the Roads and Transport Authorities across the globe, school buses

should not exceed the maximum speed of 80 km per hour
must come with red, yellow and other light indicators system to alert when the bus stops
should feature mirrors system that shall show all sides of the bus
floor must be covered by combustible, non-slippery rubber
must accommodate electronic door opening and closing mechanism under driver’s control
should implement a speed control device that adheres to the standards provided by the schools

Based on the standard school bus transportation guidelines followed in different countries, let us discuss 18 best practices that improve student’s safety in school buses.

For Drivers

As school bus accidents are rising, drivers need to be very cautious to prevent such disasters. The irresponsible behavior of the drivers’ is considered to be a key factor that causes such accidents.

1. Make sure that the bus you drive include all sort of safety features including stop arms and flashing lights, cross-view mirrors and emergency exits

2. Also check for stop arms, bus-empty signs, secure seating, first-aid box and fire extinguishers

3. Focus on high crash standards and rollover protection features

4. Check whether the bus is parked in a safe area

5. Pre-trip inspections should also be conducted consistently and thoroughly

6. Follow certain safety procedures that would be helpful to escape from any hazards just like active shooting or hijacking

7. Also let the students know those safety features so that they are sure of their security.

For Parents

Parents are responsible for educating their kids on key basic rules of safety. They must make sure to take the children to the stop at least five minutes early before the scheduled time of the bus. They should –

8. Make the children familiar with their stop and educate children on the importance of traffic safety

9. Teach your kids to stand a few steps away from the road and get into the bus only after it comes to a complete stop

10. Recommend using handrails when they are getting in to and even while getting down from the bus and tell them to fasten seat belts if it’s available

11. Ask them to take the help of the driver in case if anything gets dropped out of the bus and they have to get back them

12. Teach the importance of seat belts in preventing injuries in case of any accident and ask them to go directly to a seat as soon as they get in to the school bus

13. Also train kids to discuss with them or with the school management of any offences committed by the driver or students

For Schools

School authorities can consider implementing certain policies that ensure student transportation safety such as

14. Allowing only authorized drivers and assigned vehicles to enter and leave the school premises

15. Using technology and artificial intelligence options to prevent any hijacking or bus theft

16. Make sure that a staff is strictly present in the bus

17. Provide periodic training for drivers on how to handle students as well as any situation in the bus

18. Emergency evacuation training of a school bus helps students, drivers and support staff to handle any critical situation

Some schools have installed combi-booster rear transmitter device that provides building access cards that are meant to secure the buses as well as the yard.

Once the building access card is inserted into the device, gate will open only if it perfectly matches the combination of bus and driver for that specific time slot to enter or exit the yard.

Schools can also take advantage of advanced software options available to manage tasks such as bus fare collection, unplanned trips, routing and more.

For schools that consider outsourcing their transportation tasks, make sure to choose a company with experience in achieving streamlined transportation operations.

GPS Trackers Help Schools and Parents Track School Bus

High-definition GPS systems are now available that help parents and school administrators to track the correct location of the school bus, in case of any delay or missing.

With real-time details, parents can also enjoy the peace of mind that comes from realizing that their kids are safe. An ideal GPS tracking device can help to

know whether a particular student is present on the assigned bus or have got off the bus
track any school bus routes
notify any discrepancies that occurred

These GPS tracking apps on mobiles can offer both security and convenience.

Apps along with GPS tracking devices helps parents of all classes and even special education students to get on-time updates of the bus routes – to and from school. They can also be aware of any weather or traffic delays.

Now most buses also feature cameras that help school officials to solve theft or any other mishappenings. Cameras are also helpful in finding other drivers who make any fuss by ignoring these stop signs.

While using cameras in buses, schools should also educate their employees on ways to use the video system perfectly.

10 School Bus Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist

Posted on May 10, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Unlike other transportation fleets, school buses have an enlightening purpose that demands special care; for it is the wagon that the future of our kind travels every day.

So, it’s a crime to look at it recklessly. School buses are more of a classroom than a wagon, where pupils learn the rules of the roads lively as well. So, it is essential to keep it on the lines of rules all around.

Fortunately, our rules and regulations are very concerned about our young growing generation. The rigorous set of laws and practices could instill the importance of keeping the school buses fit and flair all the way.

As the teamwork ofmolded machines and parts, every vehicle will get wear and tear over time, no different are school buses. So, it is necessary to inspect the vehicles as many times as possible. Specifically, before heading for a trip with the children.

Since we cannot forecast the condition and the life of machine parts, either we have to dare to meet any trials across the way,or we have to make sure our vehicle is fit enough for any terrain. Sadly, we cannot go with the former in the case of school buses.

Hence, a thorough pre-trip inspection can assure that the school bus is working and ensure a smooth and comfy journey for the kids all the way.

Improve-reputation-of-your-school-Bus-Service

Notably, it is the drivers who are the responsible hands for taking care of all about the wagons, and there is some list of factors that we have to check before a trip.

So, let’s check what the pre-trip inspection checklists for school bus are.

1. Body Inspection

There are chances of slack connections and broken shields and window panes, scratchy bumpers and shaded lamps, blurry paint on our school bus. Giving a glance across the body of the bus will help us to figure out the visible damages, dents,scratch on it.

Body inspection spans all the way around the bus including, the glossy mirrors, grills, window panes, tires, lamps, wipers, shields, wheel nuts, reflectors and whatever visible to our naked eye.

Moreover, it enables us to catch out any part that is not working properly. Just remember we cannot leave out anything at least.

2. Engine Check

It is more likely a full heart check-up, so it takes time and patience. The engine consists of numerous parts, so it needs an in-depth analysis to figure out issues hiding inside.

The whistling valves, tubes, wires, chamber, seals, caps, lube tanks, engine chamber, filters, plugs, radiator, battery, pistons, spark plugs, timing gears, conveyor, shafts, etc. involves in an engine check.

So, any of it hesitate to work with the others in abruptly, the whole system stop working. Moreover, there are many forms of issues that can arise in an engine.

Leaking oils, broken seals, settled grits, blocked vents are some of the common persistent problems occurs on the engine. Hence, we have to spare some moments to understand the exact issues going on the engine.

Plus, we have to have a conventional understanding of the variations about the sounds, vibrations, and unusual precipitations to find the problems intact.

3. Light and horn

Lightsare critical elements in school buses since it has to take cuts and turns more often. So, it is essential to look over the lights, indicators and tail lamps thoroughly. If it requires any repair or replacement, we have to point out it to the mechanic immediately.

The list of lights in a school bus is a bit higher than the common wagons, and each one in it shall maintain accurately. The connections, brightness, wiring also have to take into inspection before every trip.

The same actions have to be followed humbly on the horns as well. Importantly, we have to check the capacity of the battery, for these parts are relying on the battery vastly. Any unusualbehaviors should repair immediately before the journey.

4. Gears and pedals

When the engine propels the pistons and shafts vigorously,and the gears, levers,andpedals failed to transport it to wheels, everything goes in vain. Hence, the prominence of gears and pedals are not less to any other parts.

To avoid unexpected troubles during the trips, we have to inspect the gears, brake, and clutch and accelerate pedals regularly and have to repair and maintain it accurately. Remember always, “Prevention is better than cure.”

5. Lubrication

Lubrications are like a kind of unavoidable catalyst in vehicles machine operation. Probably, the drivers know how the wagons crave for it when they run short of lubricationeverytime. Hence, for the proper functioning of machine parts and longer life of vehicles, it is essential far and wide.

So, we have to check all parts that require ample amount of lubrication across the vehicle. Primarily, for the moving pedals, rotating joints, and shafts, steeringcolumns,and attachments, etc.

Moreover, the lubricants that we use for the buses also matter to tap the efficiency of vehicles. So, always keep an eye over the parts and thevarieties of oils we chose to apply.

6. Emergency and Safety Equipment’s

The safety of school bus is an imperative factor of concern. Since we cannot foretell the things ahead in our roads, every school bus must equip with all safety and emergency measures to handle any situation seamlessly. Also, the driver and other vehicle staffs have to train to operate the equipmentquite well either.

Before every trip, checking the emergency and safety kit is a worthy practice. The fire extinguishers, first aid box, warning hazard triangles, spare parts, and emergency exit door and other essential safety measures that are acting up irregular and suspicious have to be replaced appropriately.

7. Meters and Gauges

Meters and Gauges are vital counterparts in all vehicles. The fuel levels, temperature, pressure, and speed are measured by the meters and gauges that are fixed on the driver panel. Hence, it is necessary to keep it up for conscious driving.

Any defect on it can cause massive misconceptions and disrupt the safe driving. So, always remember to check the working of meters and gauges accurately. Also, carryout the recommended repair/replacement timely.

8. Wheels

These tubular synthesized rubber rolls have a prominent role in running a vehicle. Wheels are the strong legs that help the vehicles run, walk and stand still.

Hence, a defect on it can bring big troubles on a trip. The air pressure level, thread thickness, disk condition, lug nuts are the factors that has to be looked over every day. Also, wheels and tires need to replace at proper intervals for a seamless drive.

9. Brake System

Inspecting brake involves various steps. For that, we have to take multiple testing rides as well. The oil, brake chamber, pedal, air lines, seals are few of them. The chances of brake system get into defect is more high, since it is the bridle of our gigantic wagon.

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

Thus, we have to ensure that the brake system is fit enough to control the bus all around. Regardless of the climate, terrain it could control the vehicle all around.

10. Documents and papers

Vehicle documents including insurance policies, registration and permits, test results, driver license,and other eligibility docs are to be updated as it expires. Over every trip, we have to check the documents twice to assure all papers are valid to the data.

Therefore, inevitableis the pre-trip inspection on school buses. To ensure a safe and secure trip for the children we have to pay our diligent attention throughout the school buses. From the number ofplates to the exhaust pipe, all the standards and recommendations have to adhere.

There are numerous factors still remaining for our attention in school buses. However, we have covered almost every vital point to look over for a pre-trip inspection. Following these tips can help you keep unnecessary troubles far away from your fleets on the roads.

Wish you a safe trip.

School Bus Technology Trends To Watch For In 2020

Posted on May 6, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Technology in manufacturing school buses keeps improving and advancing each year to accommodate the increasing safety and security concerns of student transportation.

Better safety, lower costs, and simpler operations are the major reasons that drive technology to seek new methods or improvise on the existing.

Information and computer technology has had a great influence on School transportation management systems. Innovative products have been developed to make unwieldy operations easier and to solve issues faced in student transportation.

Technology works with humans to create a secure and safer environment for students, enhance the rider and driver experience and increase the overall efficiency of operations.

Technology trends to watch for in 2020

1. Auto Routing

School buses use smart auto-routing algorithms simplifying the task of transport managers. School bus routing is challenging for transport managers as it consumes time and they have to keep an eye on school bus routes, check seat availability, etc. But auto-routing software makes the task easier. It automatically routes the path accurately.

2. New Methods to stop Illegal Passing

One of the biggest threats facing by school buses safety is rash driving motorists. They often tend to ignore a school bus’s stop arm and speeding by while the children are entering or exiting from the bus. It can sometimes cause serious safety issues. The children are unpredictable, so other vehicles should be responsible for child safety.

Stop-arm cameras are one option, but it is relatively expensive and cause public relation issues. So alternative method to prevent this is by adding more and bright lights is the most effective and friendly solution.

3. Cutting-edge sensitivity

In school buses, the level of sensitivity varies as detection technology varies. The new AI-powered technology can detect even the faintest signs of movement, including even the minute signs of heartbeat and breathing. Though it was formally developed for passenger cars, this system partners with school bus telematics. Thus helping school bus drivers or fleet operators to diagnose if a child is left on board.

4. Alternative Fuels

The basic fact that the global petroleum reserves are depleting, forces one to look for alternatives. The environmental pollution and public health hazards caused due to emissions from diesel exhausts are very grave.

Prices of diesel and gasoline are extremely volatile and high. The efficiency level per gallon is low when compared to other fuels.

These factors compel a shift to electricity, CNG, propane, hydrogen, diesel-electric hybrid as fuel is envisaged in the coming years. These fuels offer better mileage. Their on-road operational costs are minimal compared to that of diesel-powered buses.

The initial cost of purchasing a new bus running on alternative fuel or retrofitting the current engine to suit alternate fuel requirements is high compared to that of diesel buses. But in the long run they prove viable with near-zero emissions and lower operational costs.

Electric school buses are considered to be the future of school bus transport. They are eco-friendly with zero emissions. They are quieter while in operation.

5. Timer-based Block Heating Mechanism

In cold countries, heating of the buses in the morning is a major issue. A smart timer attached to the block heater automatically starts the engine.

The timer is pre-programmed for the time at which the engine has to be started. This ensures that it is warm and ready when the driver arrives to start the trip.

This cuts the cost of constant heating, which is impractical and eliminates the need to pay drivers for the extra warming hour in the morning. These timers help to save up to 80% of the costs depending on the weather conditions.

6. WiFi on buses

Wi-Fi on buses is a key factor enabling routing software and GPS tracking system to operate smoothly and effectively. Internet is a centralized device that ties together all the technological equipments aboard a bus.

Implementing Wi-Fi solutions helps in saving money and expanding the capabilities of the systems installed in the bus.

Students spend considerable time on the bus, travelling to and from school. Wi-Fi en-route will enable them to utilize their time on board productively, either studying or completing homework.

It will be helpful for students who lack proper internet access at their homes. Safe internet access with customized filters and data usage reporting ensure the students do not misuse the Wi-Fi for gaming or entertainment.

7. Student ID Cards

Bus identity cards are embedded with micro-chips. Radio frequency identification device (RFID) is used to record the place and time of entry and exit of students into the bus.

The RFID cards alert the parents informing them when their child has got on or off the bus. It updates school administrators on whether the child is on the right bus and at the right bus-stop.

8. Motion Detectors

The motion sensors detect any movement on a moving and stationary bus. Movements as slight as a child moving under a blanket can be detected. Use of these detectors will eliminate the chances of accidental child abandonment which happens when students sleep off without alighting from the buses.

General purpose Input/output (GP I/O) devices or sensors alert the drivers when the door is left open, when windows or hatches are opened, stop arm notifications work etc.

9. Live camera feed

The live feed cameras are installed inside and outside the buses. The internal cameras enable the drivers to view the students inside the moving school bus.

Student behavior, seating, safety issues can be monitored and managed conveniently on a console in front of the driver. This aids the driver in regulating student discipline without having to leave his seat.

Live cameras are installed on stop arms which extend out when buses stop. This camera is of help to record errant drivers on the road who do not obey the stop warning.

10. Video Mirrors

Video mirrors are used to overcome the dangers arising from the blind spots that the large school buses have. Four cameras are fixed, in different directions, so as to provide the driver with a 360 degree view.

The view is automatically adjusted at turns and curves and switches to rear-view once the bus goes into reverse mode.

11. In-Wheel Alcohol detection

Habitual drinkers and intoxicated drivers are difficult to determine on sight. The new alcohol detection sensor detectsalcohol based on a driver’s skin oils. As the sensor is integrated into the steering wheel, it locks down the bus before it is on road thus preventing unsafe driving.

12. GPS Bus Routing Software Solutions

Planning and scheduling of school bus routes manually is time consuming, costly and stressful.GPS enabled bus routing software helps in faster implementation and optimization of bus routes which is the key factor in reducing operational expenses and fuel costs.

The system creates routes based on accurate maps, determines time and distance factors on each route, detects traffic blocks and hazards on routes, monitors the mileage etc.

The individual GPS system of each bus is connected to central routing software enabling the school to keep track of every bus in the fleet, receive real-time updates on student locations and route deviations.

Auto-routing determines the routes based on bus seat capacity, number of bus-stops, students at each bus-stop using algorithms.

13. GPS tracking systems

Tracking software solutions make fleet management easier with more control of safety.

Trip and Student tracking systems– which can be integrated into the software will provide exact locations of the bus fleet. The precise and accurate data aids school management in taking well-informed decisions quickly saving time, cost and resources.
School bus attendance tracker – provides notifications to parents when their child boards or alight the bus. This tracker is extremely beneficial to the school in knowing the number of students in attendance in school on a particular day.
Tracking App for parents– helps them to track the bus and reach the bus stop in time. Parents concern of safety in transportation is addressed to a large extent by using this tracker app.
Manifest feature -This feature produces daily student passenger list, pick up details with timing, route diagram showing pick up locations. If a student has applied for leave of absence on a day, his name will not appear on the pick-up list for that particular day. This saves the time of the driver and students.
Geo-fencing– This App allows parents and schools to set boundaries. This restricts movement of the bus to specified areas. When a bus enters a restricted area the parents and the school receive alerts. The geo-fencing app can be used by parents to receive alerts when the school bus is nearing their wards bus-stop.

14. Driver Tablet

Drivers traditionally use paper printed instructions and maintain files pertaining to students, vehicle performance and maintenance details. Providing drivers with an in-vehicle tablet will reduce paper work.

All information can be recorded on the spot and can be retrieved by all departments concerned. This reduces the work load of drivers and school administrators.

15. Telematics

Telematics automate many of the manual and disconnected tasks. Telematics connects all the electronic equipment in the bus and transmits the entire data to the fleet manager.

It tracks fuel consumption, preventive maintenance schedules and the engine diagnostics of the bus. Telematics has the capability to make the transportation system more efficient and easier to maintain at lower costs.

Technology has transformed the classrooms and now this transformation is being extended to school buses. Technology gives us new ways to optimize, maximize and automate the different functionsof school bus operations. All of these technological applications strive to make school buses the best and the safest mode of transportation for students.