School Transportation Considerations
By: John Doswell
Whether you’re a long-term administrator or one who is new to the position, it is possible that you may not know everything you need to about your school’s transportation practices. I’d like to take the chance to give a little insight into the issues that school leaders face regarding this particular topic.
First, what transportation methods are you using?
According to the Transportation Research Board (TRB), there is no safer way for children to get to and from school than the school bus. As stated by the School Bus Information Council, the biggest school-related risk to children is not violence in schools, or a lack of magnetometers, but their choice of transportation to and from school.
School bus fatalities make up less than 1 percent of total student transportation fatalities when considering all means of getting to and from school, according to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics. You need to make sure you endorse your buses as preferred over walking, bicycling, and especially allowing teens to ride with other teens. These transportation alternatives are not as safe as riding a school bus, and, in the long run, buses are more environmentally friendly than car pooling.
According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half a million school buses transport more than 25 million students each year, traveling a total of 4.3 billion miles annually; school buses remain the safest means of transporting students to school and school-related activities.
These statistics support the use of buses for student transportation in general, but the statistics also support the use of buses over vans. The jury’s been out for quite a while on this subject, and the bottom line is that vans just aren’t safe for transporting students. All the while, many smaller schools are continuing to overlook the realities of safe transportation and live on the edge by using vans or general-purpose commercial buses instead of certified (and safer) buses.
If you haven’t already found it nearly impossible to get or maintain your insurance for your van or commercial bus, you should ask a few questions. You may find that your insurance rates are higher than you realize. In these times, you can’t afford to be paying more than you need to, and operating a van may have your rates up there. Even if you’ve been able to secure insurance and can afford the insurance, should you continue to operate a van when safer (certified) alternatives are available?
So, what exactly does “certified” mean?
When transporting students, remember that the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) requirements for school bus safety apply. These rules apply to School Buses and Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB). This is different (more stringent) than the Federal Standards that apply to buses operated by churches, shuttle services, or other commercial bus operations.
On top of that, your state probably has additional requirements that apply to student transportation.
Basically, the requirements add up to a mandate to use a bus that essentially wraps the students in a steel cage that provides roll-over protection, side-impact protection, and seating that protects against injury (with high backs that are heavily padded to create compartmentalization). These structural integrity requirements go well beyond what you see in the fiberglass bodies of commercial buses used by shuttle services and churches.
Additionally, certified buses provide an aisle between the left and right seats, emergency escape doors and windows, and pedestrian safety devices. Certified school buses (as opposed to MFSABs) are required to have traffic alert systems (flashing lights and stop arms) in addition to being painted yellow. As a private school, you are probably allowed by your state to utilize a MFSAB and avoid the added requirements of the yellow school bus. This can give you more options with respect to color and utilization of your school’s name and logo.
Your state’s Department of Transportation’s Web site can give you more details or a local distributor that sells School Buses and Multi-Function School Activity Buses can provide advice.
Finally, you should check with your insurance carrier.
Driver Concerns
I have heard, “Our drivers don’t want to drive a bus.” When debating the issue of using vans or small buses, the discussion often swings to driver concerns. A common misconception is that driving a certified bus is like driving a big rig. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to today’s small certified buses.
A Type A MFSAB or Type A School Bus is built on a single or dual rear wheel chassis that has the same drive-train/driver’s seat/controls/etc. as a large van. The only difference is that the rear section (the passenger compartment) is built to bus safety standards. And with today’s powerful drive-trains, you can’t tell you’re driving anything larger than a van.
On top of that, the added mirrors increase the visibility to the rear and in front (the crossing zone). As drivers go about their duties, they feel more confident and safer than they would in a commercial bus or van.
One option available from some certified bus builders that should be considered is a “low top.” These buses have a lower clearance, or overall height, than a standard bus. This means less concern about such things as covered driveways, awnings, or low-hanging trees in residential areas. With a height more like a converted van than a traditional bus, these vehicles don’t have as much interior headroom, but, especially for younger students, they may provide a more comfortable feel.
Many childcare organizations use this style exclusively. Even for older students, this low-top design is worth considering in that it truly offers a more van-like feel for the driver while still providing all of the safety features of a fully certified MFSAB. The addition of the center aisle and a multitude of seating options mean that your students will ultimately be more comfortable and safer in this unique design.
Additional Options
As if the safety concerns weren’t enough to convince you to abandon your plans to use a non-certified vehicle, there are other options that make going with a certified bus even more attractive.
High-capacity air conditioning and heating units can make a bus much more comfortable. In many applications, audio and video systems can be added to provide entertainment for long trips. Certified buses can be configured with wheelchair lifts for special needs students. Seating options provide a wide range of alternatives, while still meeting safety requirements.
These options range from color-coordinated “commercial” seats to seats with built-in child restraint/booster components. These types of individualization options just aren’t available on vans and are not certified on commercial buses.
Further, options such as “child-check” systems, video monitoring, radio communications, GPS tracking, and others add safety features answer a lot of your (and parents’) concerns about security.
John Doswell is vice president of sales and marketing for Collins Bus Corporation, www.collinsbus.com.
Product Roundup
Collins MFSAB
Collins has a safer alternative to 15-passenger vans. Available in a variety of models and floorplans, all of the Collins MFSABs (Multi- Function School Activity Buses) feature a reinforced, galvanized steel body for protection in both head-on and side-impact collisions.
Collins MFSABs also offer a smooth, sturdy ride for added comfort and safety. There is no commercial driver’s license required for many models.
www.collinsbuscorp.com
C. E. White
C. E. White Co. produces a variety of seating options for the school bus industry. Included is its popular child restraint seat for Pre-K children, which has been available for more than 15 years. In addition, it is a leading producer of three-point integrated seats, the Student Safety Seat. Enhancing safety through a “controlled collapse” seat, the Student Safety Seat keeps students safe. C.E. White’s long history of quality, safety, testing, and value make it the standard in student transportation.
www.cewhite.com
SPIRIT by Turtle Top
Turtle Top’s Multi-Function School Activity Bus, aptly named SPIRIT, is a great way to move people safely and in style. The SPIRIT features superior passenger comfort, outstanding handling, and a design that exceeds government standards for passenger safety. Before the first SPRIT rolled out of the Turtle Top plant, the company conducted a grueling 12-month product development program, in conjunction with tough safety testing guidelines.
www.turtletop.com
ChurchBus.com
As a division of the largest volume bus distributor in America, ChurchBus.com offers vehicles that are safe, comfortable, reliable, and affordable. These vehicles are in stock and ready for immediate delivery. Each seats 14 passengers plus the driver and do not require a special CDL license to operate in most states. Each meets Federal Safety Standards for school buses and are built on a Chevy one-ton chassis. ChurchBus.com has three different models in stock and offers financing and leasing options.
www.churchbus.com
Lasseter Bus & Mobility
Lasseter Bus & Mobility specializes in the sales and service of all sizes of commercial and school activity buses, featuring ElDorado National, Collins, Turtle Top, Startrans, and General Coach. Based in suburban Dallas, Lasseter Bus & Mobility has been servicing the diverse transportation needs of churches and Christian schools for 20 years. Many models are kept in stock for immediate delivery, or you can order a model equipped to meet the most unique requirements of your organization.
www.lasseter.com
El Dorado’s Aerotech
As pictured, the Aerotech is tested for 7 years/200,000 miles. Aerotech’s steel-reinforced composite body is highly resistant to impact, rust and corrosion, and fiberglass body panels provide passengers with a quieter interior. With nearly 30 years’ experience, ElDorado National can build the ideal vehicle to suit your needs. They manufacture commercial buses and vans ranging from 17’ to 40’ in length, and each delivers unmatched safety, comfort, and dependability.
www.enconline.com
