After a full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen more schools reopening and signs showing that life is making its shift back to “normal” conditions. As schools reopen, we have seen several safety precautions in place and a steady change in how school bus fleets are being operated.
Here are some big changes you’re going to start seeing in the school bus industry as children start heading back into school:
Physical Changes to Your School Bus
Electric School Buses Are Gaining in Popularity
There is a slow but steady change in how school buses are being powered. Shortly, we expect to find only electric buses in a large proportion of fleets. According to the Biden Administration, we may see the change being to shift soon because they are planning for an all-electric U.S. bus fleet for both transit and schools by 2030.
Changes to Help Electrify Fleets
In the future, you can expect to see more of a vehicle to grid technology, which enables the use of electric bus batteries for energy storage and selling electricity back. Switching to a pay-as-you-save program will help customers install more energy-efficient and cost-effective systems.
Changes to Transportation
Besides the school bus structure, you’re also going to notice some significant changes to how your school bus operates. From attempting to keep students physically distant to promoting new safety procedures, there are quite a few changes these days.
Keeping Windows Open on The Bus
Weather permitting, most school buses are making it a rule to keep their windows open to increase outdoor air circulation. Drivers will continue to keep their windows open as long as it does not pose any safety or health concerns to the riders.
Masks Must Be Worn on The Bus
One of the most important rules that bus drivers are implementing is enforcing both children and adults to wear masks while riding the bus and at arrival/departure points. Bus drivers have been keeping extra masks on their buses to give to students who may have forgotten theirs. This rule is usually mandatory across states unless an individual has a medical condition in which they can’t safely wear a mask.
Seating Restrictions
Seating assignments are one of the biggest changes that we’ve started to see on buses. Typically, there is just one student seated per row, alternating window and aisle seating. If it’s possible, drivers will usually assign seating by skipping a row. Members of the same household can sit with each other, and usually, each bus rider will have a designated seat that is the same every day. In some cases, you may find that your bus driver will also provide a partial plexiglass partition between the driver and passenger sections.
Visual Signage Will Be Added to Buses
When you enter a school bus, it will be common to see signage with visual cues to encourage physical distancing protocols. The signs will also be useful to communicate this information to students with vision or reading disabilities.
As more and more schools are making the switch back to in-school learning, these are just a few changes that you can expect to see from your school bus fleet. School bus drivers must follow CDC guidelines and prevention recommendations, including cleaning and disinfecting the bus.
If you’re looking to add buses to your fleet as you prepare to head back to school, please contact American Bus Sales to learn more about our new and used buses selling nation-wide.
