Across the U.S., hundreds of thousands of school buses take the road each morning to take children to school. With the amount of time that school buses travel on the road, it’s easy for them to need yearly repairs and maintenance, especially as they get older. One area that specifically needs a lot of maintenance is your bus seats.
Your bus seats take a beating, and they show it. However, did you know that most of the damage to your seats is intentional? That’s right. Children have been known to pick, poke, and write on bus seats intentionally. In fact, vandalism is one of the leading reasons for damage to a seat cover.
Because worn-out seats can be uncomfortable, and pose risks to the passenger’s health and safety, here are a few signs that it may be time to replace your bus seats:
Vinyl is Torn, and The Underneath is Exposed
Some bus drivers may not be too concerned about having the cloth underneath the vinyl exposed. However, it can be a huge safety concern. The vinyl used for school bus seats is often flame retardant. This means, once the cloth is exposed underneath the covering, it may no longer be flame retardant.
Always make it a priority to inspect your seating for damage or signs of wear to avoid potentially hazardous conditions. If you notice any signs of exposed foam or cloth, this indicates that the fire block capability has been impacted, and you should get the seat cover replaced as soon as possible.
The Bus Seats Are Loose
Children love to push, pull, and grab onto the school bus seats. Once a bus seat becomes too loose, it can cause serious injuries. Every bus seat should be connected to the floor to prevent any passengers from falling or hurting themselves.
This is also a great time to check the conditions of your buses seat belts. If your seat belt has detached from the seat, is fraying, or doesn’t work properly, the seat is probably due for a replacement.
Check for Signs of Worn Out Cushioning
Not only are worn-out seats unpleasant to sit on, but they can also contribute to injuries in the case of an accident. If seats deteriorate too much, the bracing underneath the seat can be felt through it, which is uncomfortable and dangerous.
Because young children like to pick old, worn-out seating, some drivers will result in duct tape to temporarily fix their seating. Duct tape is not a permanent or safe solution. If you notice any significant damage to your seats, you should always ask a professional for their help before fixing it yourself.
A variety of factors can cause the extent of wear damage. Including the number of students on your bus, their ages, and the number of runs the bus makes in a defined period.
Are the Seat Backs Reliable?
Children like to grab ahold of the seatbacks to help get them up and off the bus once they’ve reached their destination. Seat backs must remain well-padded because they serve as an extra layer of protection if your bus gets into an accident. Because they go through a lot of everyday stress, it’s important to perform routine maintenance check-ins to ensure that they remain in the best shape.
Installing New Seating in Your Used School Bus for Sale
At American Bus Sales, we have the proper tools and resources to repair or replace the vinyl seats on your school bus. Our goal is to make your commutes a safer and more comfortable experience for your passengers.
Whether you’re looking to purchase a pre-owned school bus, or you need repairs done to your current fleet, contact American Bus Sales today at 866-574-9970.
