School Bus Archives - Page 3 of 7

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.

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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.

Top 8 School Bus Rental Companies

Posted on March 11, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Outsourcing transportation of students in a school has been successful in majority of the cases, where the authorities have partnered with private bus rental companies.

The transportation contract has stipulations under which the contractors work. This allows the authorities to focus more on the core function of education.

Schools usually engage private bus rentals when the school bus fleet is aged and there are no funds available for bus upgrades, increased transportation costs, and administrative headaches.

All these problems can be solved by outsourcing the school bus service. Private bus contractors have the singular aim of providing this service in the most cost-effective and efficient manner while maintaining the highest levels of safety and reliability. Some of the best-known school bus rental companies are listed below.

Read Also: Top 10 School Bus Companies

1. First Student, Ohio

First student ensures that students have a safe and reliable transport system to and from school. They are the leading school bus provider in the USA. With over 50000 employees and over 44000 school buses, they have transport contracts with over 1100 school districts.

Their Specialities

They provide end-to-end school bus transport solutions and route optimization advice
The staff and drivers are locally hired from among the familiar communities with a view to transporting the students safely
They have implemented technologies and innovations to improve operating performance, driver output and safety
They follow stringent maintenance programs to keep their fleet in a well-maintained condition
They have over 100 years of expertise in transportation

2. Royal Coach Tours, California

This company provides School Pupil Activity Bus services in California. This includes school-sponsored events such as Proms, Field trips, Sports events, Grad Nites, etc.

The buses are certified to transport children during school-sanctioned events. They have the requisite charter bus certification called SPAB (School Pupil Activity Bus) and are regulated by the California Highway Patrol.

Why they are special

They are extensively trained in defensive driving techniques, vehicle inspections, and mechanical flaw detection.
They offer modern fleets with different sizes of coaches, configurations and seating capacities; they have 56-seater, 47-seater, and 36-seater coaches
They have all the safety features that are required
They have been in business for about 60 years
Their buses are equipped with event data recorders, tire monitoring systems, and fire-fighting systems.

3. StorerCoachways, California

This company started off in the year 1952 when the need for transporting students with special needs increased. This company was founded by Walter and Gladys Storer after they submitted a bid and volunteered to transport 13 handicapped children from their homes to the school.

After the contract that was in force for one year, Storer Transportation Services was contracted to carry mentally retarded children to the Prescott School. Soon children with hearing and visual disabilities started using this service.

This company specialized in the door-to-door transport of these handicapped students. The original station wagons and stretch limousines that served as buses were painted school bus yellow and fitted with flashing lights. Some of the later vans of STS had electric lifts installed onto the rear side of the van.

Why they stand out

They have a modern fleet of motorcoaches.
They offer different sizes of coaches, configurations and seating capacities; they have 54-seater, 45-seater, and 21-seater and 11-seater coaches.
The coaches are embedded with the latest amenities.
Their rental rates are very competitive in the marketplace.

4. Transportation Charter Services, California

Transportation Charter Services (TCS) has been serving the people of Southern California with SPAB certified coaches for a long time now. The company services educational groups that are inbound in addition to local ones.

The company has been functional in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas for more than three decades now. The company’s mission has been to provide end-to-end safe, reliable and comfortable group transportation for any client.

Why choose TCS

The company has the highest safety rating in the charter bus industry
Their buses have all the amenities including luxury seating, Wi-Fi on board, and AV hook-ups.
The bus fleet are new (2008 model or newer)
The school buses can hold 54 passengers
The drivers are trained to be courteous and are always on time during the trip
The company staff is always willing for last-minute route or itinerary changes
The school buses are available for sports groups transfers, day trips or overnight trips from schools and ferrying students to and from campsites
The buses are SPAB certified
The buses undergo the requisite inspections by the CHP regularly (every 45 days or at the completion of 3000 miles), fully insured and licensed by the state

5. DATTCO, Inc, Connecticut

This company operates over 1000 school buses in Rhode Island and Connecticut every single day.The company is family owned and has been providing service for over six decades. DATTCO provides charter services to school groups of all sizes for different kinds of trips.

This company started providing school bus services in 1949 and now services over 30 school districts. The company currently transports over 110000 students on a daily basis during a school year.

Their Specialities

They have over six decades’ experience in transporting children to and from school
The company has a fleet size of 1350 school buses
Dattco is an authorized dealer for the IC brand of school buses
Their training & Safety department has two Master Instructors and 19 State Certified Instructors on rolls
They run student safety programs in schools
Their buses are designed to cater to special needs students
They are known for their high-quality driver training programs
The company provides an instantaneous and unique way for parents to find their ward’s route information
The company has 60 certified mechanics and 8 road service vehicles (fully-equipped)
DATTCO is affiliated to the Association of Boards of Education, State School Transportation Association and many more organizations connected to the administration of schools

6. The Free Enterprise System, Indiana

The company was started in the year 1976 as a family-owned business and they started serving the US Postal Service by hauling mail for them. They are still providing this service.

Maintaining consistent and superior levels of service they have been able to reach very high levels of reputation. They provide a gamut of services including school trips. They provide safe and premium transportation for school groups on their different trips.

Why Choose Free Enterprise

They have a diverse fleet and different coach options that can accommodate student groups of any size
Their coaches feature disc brakes, no tires that are recapped, automatic slack adjusters, reflective decals, LED lights, ABS brake systems, etc., among others
Their coach driver are chosen after a rigorous background check and are trained frequently
The coach drivers are subject to random drug screening
The drivers are regularly trained in customer service aspects

7. Northfield Lines, Minnesota

Benjamin Bus has been ferrying schoolchildren in Minnesota for many years now. Truly caring about the children they transport, they have established a reputation for themselves.

They work in close contact with the school district administration to plan their bus stops and bus routes. Their services include daily student transportation, special needs students’ transportation, and field trips for students, summer school and camp trips.

They are known for the expert training they provide to school bus drivers. In addition to behind-the-wheel training, they provide training manuals and videos to the drivers.

The new drivers are even subjected to a ride-along evaluation by a driver with experience. They have to attend regular safety meetings. The drivers have to do a pre-trip safety check before any bus departure.

Why they stand out

They are experts in routing and scheduling
They adhere to strict fleet preventive maintenance schedules with first-rate facilities and equipment
They conduct numerous school bus safety programs for school children and the school authorities
They subject their drivers to random drug testing procedures

8. Arrow Stage Lines, Nebraska

Started in the year 1928, this company provides many services including school bus rentals. This bus rental company offers school bus transportation for students in select markets such as Omaha and Lincoln in Nebraska.

With a high safety record, the bus service providers are known for their on-time record. Their buses are known to travel long distances without any kind of mechanical disruption.

Their specialities

They employ top drivers and have a nationwide network operating in many states. They follow an elaborate preventive maintenance system. Their drivers are well trained in safety procedures, customer service and operational procedures.

They are expected to be physically fit from the fitness tests that held regularly. The company is known to have invested millions of dollars on its buses to keep customers safe.

Wrap Up

School districts are under great pressure to deliver safety to the students and to give them a good quality education experience. Contracting student transportation helps the school districts to make substantial savings which they can redirect to making education better and therefore more sought after.

Buying a School Bus – 10 Important Points You Should Know

Posted on February 18, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Buses are in high demand in the market and are purchased by different organizations. However, the buyer always finds it a difficult job to know where to begin.

Preliminary research is anyway required as when you would buy some other vehicle. Then, it is all about sourcing the vehicle and finally negotiating to get the best deal.

But it is important to realize that there are a few factors that set buses apart from other vehicles that you are otherwise familiar with.

As in other walks of life, planning is the most important factor. You should have a clear image of the school bus that you want to have. The following points will help you to start on the right note:

Read Also: Top 10 School Bus Companies

1. Size

The range of passenger capacity of a bus is very varied. Whereas there are buses that carry single digit numbers, there are others that ferry 300 people.

Larger buses are difficult to manoeuvre on the road and it is difficult to find parking space for such vehicles. For such buses, both the initial investment and the long-term running costs are higher.

For any school, the cost of the bus is a major factor. Hence, for a school, choosing a bus with a capacity that closely fits the number of students to be accommodated is important.

2. Parking

Before buying the school bus, it is important to ensure that the school property, as well as the school district, has the space required for the vehicle to be parked. There may be local regulations that prohibit parking of the bus in your premise.

3. Amenities in the bus

Buses are built for a specific set of travellers and this is reflected in their design. A school bus would necessarily have doors with secure lock systems, no cargo bays or raised floor.

School buses are required to shuttle passengers carrying a minimum amount of baggage. This bus would surely need racks to store the bags and other accessories. A school bus does not need any storage space outside the main cabin.

Ensure that you purchase a school bus that already has all the amenities at the time of purchase. Installation at a later date becomes an expensive affair and is inconvenient.

4. Type of Engine

There have never been more options than today as far as the type of engine is concerned. The types of engines available include petrol, diesel, hybrids, and buses powered by an electric battery.

The next important point to keep in mind is the heavy use that the bus will see in the future years. This factor has to be kept in mind to match the operational costs and the fuel costs of the bus.

5. Engine Capacity

Choose a bus with an engine that is suited for the terrain on which the bus will be driven. Buses are built to meet standard needs. However, you may sometimes need a powerful engine for the bus.

Larger engine lasts for a longer time than a smaller one because it does not have to work as hard. The smaller one will have to work in its full capacity.

6. Types of School Buses

There are different bus models to choose from. However, some of them are more popular with the bus drivers because of driving comfort and ease of repair from the mechanics’ point of view.

However the most popular school bus models are

Conventional school buses
Transit style bus
Rear Engine Buses

7. Budget

It is important to understand that it is not always wise to save some money, especially if it means sacrificing some of the criteria mentioned above.

However, budgets are likely to be the largest part of the decision when purchasing a large and costly vehicle like a bus. Firstly, work out the maximum price or an upper limit.

It is also a good idea to buy used buses. Such a purchase may provide better value for your money.

Or you can buy a new bus if your budget is reasonably big and your needs are long term. Otherwise used buses are the right option.

8. Safety

The safety aspects of a school bus are of utmost importance. All safety features must be present on the bus before you purchase the vehicle.

Inspect to see if the airbags are working and the anti-lock brakes are in place.

9. Customization

You can add any number of customized features including safety seats, seat belts, handrails, wheelchair lifts, seat restraints, etc. You can even tailor the electrical and HVAC systems according to specific requirements and the regional climate.

Modern school buses have a number of additional features that facilitate communications, TV systems, Internet Wi-Fi, GPS trackers, transmitters and receivers, according to requirements.

10. Buy in terms of your needs

1.Buying a new bus

Manufacturers and licensed resellers often show you the latest models when you start to shop. You can choose the dealer whose bus seems to have all the requirements that you have identified.

You can search for local bus dealers and see if you can recognize their models. You can also speak to bus owners, if you know any, and ask for their experiences as far as reliability and operational economy of the vehicle is concerned.

2. Buying a used bus

Used buses can be found at auctions and also with dealers that sell new vehicles. Sometimes it is possible to land buses in decent condition at great bargain prices.

It may be a safer option to buy the bus from a licensed reseller than from an auction. They may allow you to test-drive before you make the payment and therefore it is safer.

You can also inspect the bus to ensure that there are no major issues that are hidden out of sight. Any initial maintenance that needs to be done can be incorporated into the cost of the bus after due discussions with the reseller.

Winter School Bus Driving Guidelines And Tips

Posted on February 15, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Winter is the most inappropriate time for riding any sort of vehicle rather so a school bus.

For a school bus driver the safety of the students is the most important and riskiest job there is, and to carry it out on a winter surface is harder than normal.

School bus drivers should always be prepared for changing weather conditions, it’s always important to bring along additional weather gear to withstand the winter.

A few of the winter weather gear might include:

Thermals
Winter Parka
Gloves
Extra Socks
Winter Boots
Rain Slicker
Hat or Knit Cap
Rags
Flashlight
Ice Scraper

Anyone who has driven in snow knows that winter driving is difficult especially for heavy vehicle drivers. Driving a school bus in snow requires a special set of skills to ensure the safety of the students.

Here are few tips for school bus drivers on how to safely drive the bus on winter conditions

1.Plan Early

Don’t wait until winter hits you, take counter measures before hand. Weather conditions can go from mild to harsh in an instant so it’s better to be ready for the winter which is eventually coming. Take up safety measures which include

Establishing earlier start times and take alternate routes that is much safer from the rash weather
Ensure a stable communication channel with the faculty
Conduct a manual check-up for the school buses prior to the winter season ensuring that the vehicle is in tact

2. Train the Drivers

Winter road conditions are not at all similar to normal driving conditions, covered by thick snow the roads will be slick and slippery, the driving rules installed by the transportation ministry would not be enough in keeping the school bus safe.

Therefore school bus drivers should go through a specialized winter training course.

The driver training should consist of
Importance of increasing the following distance from a vehicle
The relevance of reducing the speed
Importance of slow acceleration, steering, and braking
Allowing longer stopping distance

3. Winterize the School Buses

The school buses should be equipped to counter the winter season prior to the start of the season.

The school bus drivers should understand the limitations of their vehicle and must keep regular maintenance of the school bus.

Here are a few tips school bus drivers should keep in mind while winter proofing the school bus

All the batteries should be tested prior to the season
Switch to winter tires or assure that all tires have sufficient tread
Install antifreeze brake line
Introduce new windshield and wipers for the snowy weather
Cross check every switches and light to make sure they are functional
Introduce anti-fog product on interior glass and to reduce the adhesion of snow and ice use rain repellent material on the outside glasses
To provide emergency traction, the school buses at all time during the winter season should contain an oil absorbent or kitty litter

You don’t know what to expect during the harsh weather, sometimes even skilled driving would not be enough. Following are some additional Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind

Be Cautious

Be extra cautious around bus stops, school zones and at bus loading and unloading areas where there exist a huge chance of high snow banks.

Slow Down, Don’t hurry

In harsh winter conditions don’t hurry, at these times the safety of the students must come above everything including staying on schedule.

Anticipate the road conditions

During winter the roads will be poor and dangerous so it’s better to keep a healthy distance between the vehicles and other objects in front of you, so that you could react to any unwanted instances en-route.

Don’t take chances, Drive Safely

In intersections always, be wary of other motorist and if you feel any sort of concern to move forward don’t, sometimes it’s better to take no road at all.

Be winter proof

Wear winter hats, boots, and clothing that will keep you warm. Rather than the harsh weather, there should not stand any discomfort for you while driving.

Use of Headlights

Countless accidents have occurred because drivers were surprised by a vehicle which they did not see until it was too late.

During inclement weather conditions like rain, sleet, snow, and hail you should turn on your headlights so others can see you.

In fact, any sort of weather condition which causes vision impairment is enough to turn your headlights on while driving.

Clear your bus off from Ice

Before you start the vehicle, be sure to wipe out every chunk of snow and ice from the windows, mirrors, headlights and make sure that the vehicle is visible to others.

Under normal driving conditions dealing with traffic, stopping, turning, maintaining the legal speed limit can all be controlled by using good driving techniques.

But when you come up against roads covered with snow and ice the entire dynamic changes.

In extreme winter circumstances despite the incredible dangers presented by the slick surface, drivers must exercise great caution and practice the above mention tips to ensure the safety of the vehicle and students.

A Simple Guide to Auto Route Optimization in School Buses

Posted on January 11, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

The world we live in is no longer as safe as it used to be. Crimes, especially against young children, are on the rise. Hardly a day or two passes without any crime against children being reported.

In addition, mishaps and accidents are a threat to the lives of students. As a result, parents are worried more than ever about the well being of their school going children.

Due to this reason schools have sought the help of technology to ensure the safety of the students who use their school bus to commute to and from school.

While cameras help school authorities to keep an eye on children when they are within the campus, the tracking software enables them to ensure their safety during their trip to and back from the school. The software also enables parents to keep track of their children through their mobile devices.

As such, the aim of this post is to provide some information on school bus auto route optimization. So, let us start by understanding as to what auto route optimization actually means.

Auto Route Optimization – What Is It

Optimization of the school bus route is a process wherein the school transportation administrator generates one set of routes to ensure that all children are transported to and from school safely and on time.

Bus route optimization enables schools to reduce the number of buses and the distance to be travelled, thus contributing in saving fuel and other costs. It may not be possible to achieve this always, but it is certainly one of the important goals.

School bus routes can be optimized in many ways. A simple stop optimization could result in savings in running miles. It involves keeping the same stops on the routes and changing the order in which each stop is visited.

Another option is to observe stops on several routes and determine whether grouping them differently could result in a reduction in the distance travelled.

However, care should be taken not to overload the bus by assigning too many students in each route. Further, enough time should be allocated to buses to complete a trip.

As such, a number of components have to be considered while optimizing school bus routes. It is not an easy task to keep track of every variable in mind and manually optimize the school bus routes.

It is, therefore, best done with the help of software with built-in artificial intelligence capability. This software makes use of an algorithm to optimize the routes.

How Does School Bus Auto Route Optimization Work?

The route optimization software automatically creates routes on the basis of the specifications that the users provide. The parameters that the users may incorporate into the algorithm may include the following:

The maximum time a student should spend on the bus.
The maximum time allowed for the entire route. The starting point and destination is also taken into account in this case. The preferred pickup point in each school bus route may also be included as a parameter.
Specify the capacity.
Group the students either by school or route
Consider whether the bus should stop at each of the school in the route or at transfer points.
Choose buses to be used from the fleet.
Specify the size of the bus to be used on a specific route.

Routes are often created on the basis of the students to be included. Students may be added based on the school in which they are studying and the boundary or zone they are being transported to.

Once a route is finalized, it can be viewed on a map with each and every stop clearly marked. Reports can also be printed and reviewed. The software allows this process to run until the optimum route is determined.

The important aspect to be kept in mind is that this is just the starting point. Even after activating a route, it can be manipulated to suit the needs of the school.

What Are The Benefits Of Auto Route Optimization?

School bus operators often find it challenging to optimize the operational costs. They can reduce their costs only by optimizing their routes. The auto-routing ability of the software helps to do exactly that and derive a number of benefits. They include the following:

The built-in AI capability of the software provides auto suggestions on the most fuel-efficient routes. In addition, it carries out efficiency checks to make sure that all the current school bus routes are operating at their optimum capacity.

A lot of recorded data related to routes, pick up points, school buses and their seating capacity are made use of for the purpose. Vehicle assignments are often initiated by considering the current data collated in the registration forms.

This feature is very helpful in efficiently managing multiple pick-up points in one route. If a kid that is being picked up in a route changes location, the system comes up with a contingency plan and suggests the pickup and drop points.

The route optimization feature of the software also helps to identify the shortest route. Pick up and drop points are suggested based on the earlier points assigned. It is carried out after thorough analysis and suggests the best pick-up point for each every student in the shortest route.

The software provides school bus operators not only with feedback but also suggestions for achieving time and fuel efficiency.

The school bus auto route optimization software spares the in-charge of the efforts involved in manually allocating the routes.

It also allows the school bus drivers to drive peacefully as they are always provided with an updated route map that clearly indicates the pickup as well as drop points.

When a school wants to redistrict and implement optimize routes the software enables them to tweak the routes. Through optimization, it is possible to eliminate few trips and this allows the school to save substantial amount of money.

It is the key features of the auto route optimization that make it extremely useful: They include the following:

1. Pick up and drop points are taken into account when suggesting a route.

2. Optimizes the pickup points and improves efficiency.

3. Automatically updates the best pick-up order, hence saving time and fuel consumption.

4. Auto optimization aligns multiple pick-up points in one route to create the shortest route.

5. Centralization of data enables the determination of the shortest route to reduce the distance travelled.

6. The route optimization application automatically modifies the current seating capacity based on the number of students in a route.

7. The beauty of the system is that it automatically collects the data whenever the pickup or drop off point is modified.

9. It is also capable of suggesting alternate best routes to avoid traffic.

Finally, the software may also be employed for the purpose of generating new ideas with respect to route optimization. Using the school bus auto route optimization software it is also possible to identify new ways to cut routes and save money.

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.