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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

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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.

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.

10 Emergency Response Tips for School Bus Drivers

Posted on April 3, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Majority of the students in a school depends on school buses for their transportation to and from school. Along with student safety within the school premises, the schools are highly responsible for the safety of students in bus too.

Drivers are an integral part of the school bus transportation system and that is why schools should pay close attention to driver trustworthy and efficiency.

Proper training programs and assessments should be performed before assigning the role of school bus driver to a person. Even when all precautions are made, there are high chances for emergencies at times.

So it is important to train the drivers to handle the emergencies well and save the situation. As children are involved in the scenarios, keeping them calm without being panic is the key.

Here let us have a look at what all emergency situations can come up while driving a school bus and the emergency response tips for drivers.

1) First aid and CPR training

Getting relevant training and awareness of first aid to be given when some emergencies occur during bus strip is important. With this training, a driver should know how to handle medical and trauma emergencies such as shock, bleeding control, seizures, and cardiac arrest.

2) Roadway positioning

Sometimes the accident can occur at a dangerous curve or a busy road. In such cases, drivers should take initiatives to evacuate students from the bus in a well organized manner in the modest speed to avoid any further mishaps.

A driver should be aware of the places in his bus route so that the students can be held safe in some place until they get some external help.

3) Evacuate a school bus

A driver should be aware of the situations in which the bus has to be evacuated. If a fire is seen, sudden evacuation is recommended as hazardous gases, smoke and fire can get spread in less than 2 minutes.

If fuel spill occurs with the bus or the vehicle that is involved in the crash, evacuation should be immediate as a spark can stimulate fire.

If in case, power lines got curled across the bus, the best option is to stay inside until emergency responders gives the green signal or the power is switched off.

4) Passenger injury

If the students are already injured but not at the risk of losing lives, the best option is to stay calm inside the bus and give necessary first aid until emergency responders reach the spot. Evacuating the injured students can result in further troubles.

5) Passenger accounting

First of all, drivers should know the number of students travelling in the bus on the particular day. It would be good if he can identify the students with their name and other features.

This can be a good help by him to identify the students and convey the message at the right place if in case any mishap occurs. In worst cases, drivers can check their bags for any ID card or name slips on their books to identify them.

It is good to carry the emergency contact numbers of every student travelling in the bus. Some schools advise to keep a book containing list of students and their relevant data near to the driver seat.

This helps the emergency responders to do the necessary if the driver is unconscious.

6) Know the route

Bus drivers should keep the authorities informed about the routes they are handling. This helps authorities to respond fast with necessary help in case of a mishap.

Similarly, drivers should be aware of the emergency centres and hospitals in their bus route. This helps them to save the lives of students in case of an emergency.

7) Know the student locations

A driver should be aware of the locations of every student before they move the bus. A general recommendation is to avoid moving the bus if any students are within 10 feet of the bus as kids can go careless at times.

Similarly, make sure that bus is under control and not moving in case a student is stepping in or stepping down from the bus. It is the role of the driver and the assistant staff to see that children are not stepping down from a moving bus.

8) Signalling students

The emergencies may not always happen with collision to other vehicles. There are many incidents reported where the students got injured with the bus they were travelling due to costly carelessness.

So driver should see that all doors of the bus are properly closed before they start their drive and no students are standing beside door during the drive.

It is good to advise small children to remain seated and not walking when the bus is moving as emergency braking can cause falls.

When you drop off a small kid in the drop off point, see that someone responsible has arrived to pick them. If children have to cross the road in the pick up or drop off point, make sure that they do it safe with the help of your assistant.

9) GPS tracker

A GPS tracking system in the bus can be a good help in case anything goes wrong. And the system has to be accessible to the school authorities as well as the parents or guardians. A GPS tracking app can be a handy solution for both schools and parents.

10) Role of school

Schools should understand that driver training is an ongoing process and their performance should be reviewed on a regular basis.

Prevention is better than cure and so taking some measures before hand can minimize the possibilities of accidents and in worst case to manage the situation well.

Here are a few things school authorities need to take care of to handle the emergency situations well.

When a new driver is interviewed, see that the necessary protocols and guidelines are met.
Educate drivers on the driving safety and perform emergency handling drills on a regular basis.
Set up a GPS tracking system in the bus in order to locate the bus position in case of an emergency.
A regular assessment and inspection of the security and safety of the bus should be made
A database of the students travelling by school bus should be kept ready to handle an emergency.
Every school bus should be having a first aid kit and drivers should be trained in using it.
It would be good if schools can set up an emergency call facility in every bus.
A school should be having all proper emergency response supplies.
The safety and security policies of school bus have to be reviewed regularly.
Students should also be given proper guidance and tips to overcome emergency situations

Final Thoughts

Being a school bus driver is not easy as the role involves many complexities. Sometimes he should take the role of a friend, sometimes a guiding parent and sometimes a life saver.

He should obey all traffic rules and follow safe riding as he has an extra responsibility of handling a bunch of young kids.

The emergency situations may not be always familiar ones and drivers may come across many new problems during their drive. It is his role to stay calm and customize his response according to the present situation.

13 Best Tips for Kindergarten Teachers 2018

Posted on March 8, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

It is fun to spend time with toddlers who are active most of the time. But as much as it is fun it is also a tedious task to handle the kids.

Many consider it as a special job that requires special attention.

Yes, it is kids that you are dealing with, what else should you expect?

Kids go in different directions and it is your duty to make sure that they don’t get lost or if you are able to get their attention. Not everyone can handle the kids and get their attention.

Kindergarten is a place where children are introduced to schools and instil in them an interest for learning.

With only a few days for summer vacation to be over this article is to help Kindergarten teachers have a head start so as to make the transition easier for them and thus students too.

Here are a few tips for Kindergarten teacher that comes handy when dealing with toddlers.

1. Read Stories to Them

Children loooooove stories. It is the first stage of reading and readiness. You can keep them interested for hours if you can narrate them a story to keep them busy listening to your stories.

Even the most mischievous kindergartener can’t resist a good story. Children develop a readiness to listen and learn. This is the first step to knowing the world and what is around them.

2. Introduce Them to Music

Music is paramount to a child’s development. Children like to listen to words that rhyme from which they learn new words. Moreover music is important for the mental growth of a child.

Listening to patterns will always stimulate the thought process. It might be the nursery rhymes they listen in the school bus or the one the teacher narrates during kindergarten hours.

3. Encourage Responsibility

Children should be encouraged to do things responsibly. They should be made familiar with simple things like packing up to school or while they are returning from school.

These small tasks will improve the responsibility. They must be taught about how they should keep their classroom clean or wash themselves up after they have their food.

4. Teach Them Everything

Teach your children from scratch. Don’t assume that they know things, they are kids you, have to teach them how to close the door behind them when they use the washroom, they need to taught ‘thank you’ and ‘welcome’.

Teach them little things like how to wash their hands and how to use toilet paper. Once they fall into a routine they will make it a habit to do it throughout.

5. Choose and Store Supplies

You need some supplies to keep your kids engaged. A good example might be a stuffed pet that is washable which is kept in the classroom. Children can take turns to take it home for a weekend.

Make sure your classroom is not cluttered as it will deter you from having an effective learning environment. Keep unused objects out in your storage and clearly label them for use in future.

6. Involve Parents

It is important to involve parents as much as possible. Tell them how the child is performing in his daily activities. A parent’s involvement ensures the complete education of the child.

Communication is not just enough, but you should do it often and make sure you communicate the progress of the child to the parents. In fact you must care for the child as much as the parents do. Talk to them over phone, return their emails are simple things you can do.

7. Plan Your Activities

Plan your activities ahead for the day and ensure that you keep your children occupied throughout the day. If you haven’t got a plan, be ready with activity sticks.

These activity sticks come handy when you don’t have anything planned for your kids. Hand out these sticks to kids and keep them engaged with different activities.

8. Keep Them Moving All Day Long

Plan lessons or activities for not more than 15 minutes. Children tend to lose interest in them easily. So, some kind of movement activities in between can keep them occupied all day long.

Games like sight word slap can improve their vocabulary help them structure sentences.

9. Adventure Spree

In between classes it would be great to take kids out through the school for an adventure. Take them around the school and ask them to locate the teacher’s room, the cafeteria, the nurse station, the bathroom, the library etc.

Children can take a break from sitting in the classroom and take a stroll through the school for a change.

10. Celebrate Childhood

Most important of all let your kids celebrate tier childhood. Let them laugh, play and make messes. Let them plant a garden, bake, and create new things which will help them to be creative. These actions will nurture their creative side.

11. Talk to Them

Children will improve their oral skills by starting conversations with the teacher and with one another. Teacher will make sure of this that they ask them questions regarding what is happening with their lives.

Instead of slipping a disk in the car while driving to school teachers can ask parents to start a conversation with their child.

12. Help the Parents

Parents might be having a tough time working and taking care of their child. Children might be not willing to take up school on the very first day.

Give them an assurance that you will genuinely take care of their kid. Devise plans to get the attention of the child as they say goodbye to their father and mother.

13. Teach Them to Make Friends

Children might be hesitant to make friends with other kids in the classroom. Guide them on this matter and help kids to get to know each other.

The greatest advantage of this is that kids will be pre-occupied with each other that they forget to cry or make havoc. Some kids will do this naturally while other might need help with it.