While not destined to return to route service, this Alabama school bus is being refurbished for use in a student vocational program. That’s one example of how school districts are getting more life out of their vehicles and saving money in the process.


There Are Many Ways to


SKIN A SCHOOL BUS


While refurbishing older vehicles isn’t for everyone, the practice can introduce a host of new technologies at a fraction of a new purchase cost


WRITTEN BY KARI LYDERSEN T


here are many ways and reasons to refurbish a school bus: Meeting growing demand for three-point seat belts; preparing it for a new role as a field trip charter; reducing fuel costs by converting it to propane or electric hybrid;


installing air conditioning; adding new technology; or just sprucing it up to look fresh and appealing. A recent survey by School Transportation News found that the


great majority of respondents from districts nationwide actually do not refurbish their buses. Charlie Hood, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation


34 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2018


Services, said the reason many districts don’t go this route is because some states have rules about how long buses can be on the road, and buying a new bus may seem more efficient. “I’ve seen very little in the way of programs to refurbish school


buses over the last several years,” Hood said. “I expect school districts are keeping buses longer, to the point it’s not practical to refurbish them. When the bus gets so old, particularly in northern states with road salts, you have corrosion, and it may not be economically feasible.” But district officials that do refurbish their buses, and suppliers


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