Guest Post by Patrick Willi
You have probably noticed school buses back on the road, students waiting patiently at neighborhood corners, and parents breathing sighs of relieve. Summer is over and children are returning to school. School bus drivers are using yellow buses morning and night to transport children safely. With such consistent use, consider these three distinct maintenance stages for a school bus: preventative, repair, and replacement. Do you know what it takes to keep a school bus running safely?
Daily Inspections and Preventative Maintenance
School buses can and do wear out from the extensive daily use. Interior, exterior, and engine components need to be fixed or replaced, and fluids need to be changed regularly. The first line of defense is the certified school bus driver. They receive training to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Then they receive more training specific to driving a school bus. They endure tests and hours of behind-the-wheel training before they are ready for all of the responsibilities associated with a school bus. Their hours of training also include aspects related to the basic mechanics of a school bus.
A driver is a school bus’ first defense for longevity. At the beginning of each morning, these drivers inspect the school bus to make sure it is safe and functioning properly. After each route is complete, they inspect it again. When they are inspecting the bus, they are looking for leaks, breaks, or other oddities. When they are driving, they are constantly monitoring gauges and other indicators for potential issues. Safety is paramount.
Frequent Repairs
No one likes to see a school bus pulled over to the side of the road with the hazard lights flashing. Images of a school bus involved in an accident may instantly fill your head. In most cases, it is just a minor mechanical failure that disabled the school bus. This should not happen often since school buses are meticulously inspected on a daily basis to ensure the safety of the children. Regardless, breakdowns happen. A school bus is similar to the car or truck you drive back and forth to work. Every once in a while an automobile needs a new battery, belt, or other component. A school bus, at its most basic, includes the same type of components. School buses have batteries, starters, alternators, brakes, coolant systems, and various fluids. Like your automobile, these items need maintenance.
Eventually, the daily inspections are not enough to ward off failing components. A school bus is a vehicle and vehicles break down, occasionally. The key word is “occasionally.” Consider that a single school bus travels 12,000 miles each year. As your school buses get older and need work, parts are necessary for repairs. American Bus Sales (ABS) can help with necessary bus parts. As a full service bus dealership, ABS is proud to offer a full line of parts for all makes, models, years, and engines including Thomas, Blue Bird, and IC, as well as professional service long after the sale. Sometimes you need an eager source to help you select the best part for the right price.
Once your fleet begins to age, the service and repair of your buses may be more than your garage can handle on your own. Again, American Bus Sales can assist with keeping your school buses in top condition. The Service Department is available for consultation over the phone as well as hands-on service for your bus.
Replacement
Proper school bus driver training and school bus maintenance can go a long way to extend the life of a school bus. Unfortunately, the time comes when the only logical and cost-effective solution is to purchase a newer school bus and retire the older model from your fleet. This is a large purchase, by any standard. There is a lot to consider: brand, components, fuel options, projected maintenance costs, parts availability, etc. What are the best choices? There is no one answer to this question. Each district has different requirements, routes, and budgets.
American Bus Sales can help choose the right buses for your situation and provide the necessary service and parts to keep that vehicle running for many years to come. ABS was founded in 2004 as a premier fleet solutions provider. Assisting fleet operators of all types; school districts, contractors, public utilities, municipalities, churches and other miscellaneous private fleets with products and services that enable them to maintain and operate their vehicles in a safe and efficient manner. With over a decade of experience, American Bus Sales can remove the intimidating feeling of such a large, important purchase and make sure your needs are being met.
School buses are a transportation staple in morning and evening commutes, and they are easily the safest mode of travel. It is easy to take them for granted and not realize what is necessary to keep them moving safely. School bus drivers and mechanics are often unsung heroes in regards to children’s safety. A school bus driver alone is responsible for keeping order and managing any disturbances among the children. In a sense, school bus drivers oversee the smooth operation of a school bus AND the children on it, while minimizing the risks from other vehicles on the road. There are times when school bus drivers and mechanics cannot do it alone. A reliable one-stop shop can take a lot of stress out of operating school buses. In addition to parts, service, and bus sales, American School Bus Sales can customize a bus or fleet to fit your needs. Remember, more than just fleet sales, ABS also offers parts sales, customized financing, short term rentals, and lease purchasing at highly competitive prices.
Patrick Willi serves as Director at School Training Solutions, where educators, administrators, and school transportation employees can receive online training and certification. Thanks for the blog post Patrick!
