as the equipment transporting it. “We also track maintenance trends and recurring issues to address problems early before they lead to major failures or extended downtime,” he said. Patrick in South Carolina asserted that proactive management is essential
when operating an aging fleet that’s no longer covered under warranty. “Implementing a comprehensive, high-quality service plan for all vehicles not
only extends their operational lifespan but also helps reduce unexpected repair costs and lessens the overall impact on your budget,” he said. Equally important to sustaining fleet reliability, he said, is maintaining
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a robust, well-organized revolving parts inventory. He added that use of a capable maintenance manage- ment software system can further strengthen service programs by tracking maintenance schedules, monitoring parts usage trends and ensuring that inventory levels re- main aligned with operational needs. “This data driven approach en- hances efficiency, minimizes downtime and supports more in- formed decision making across fleet operations,” he said. The use of failure analysis helps the Cypress-Fairbanks team in Texas predict future maintenance needs and repair costs. “This allows us to adjust our PM program to predict failure and address it before it be- comes a bigger issue,” Williams said. “Something as small as a $10 heater hose rupturing can quickly end up costing you thousands in additional repairs.” Such analysis helps minimize road
calls and reduces out-of-service time while supporting safe operations. Williams emphasized the importance of not only carrying out a strong preventive maintenance program but also routinely evaluating and adjusting practices accordingly as the fleet ages. “A great preventive maintenance
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program can extend the life of the vehicle and keep overall cost down, and makes it unnecessary to refur- bish,” he said. “This also maintains a better trade in or sale value.” An emerging industry trend is
predictive maintenance, where data from real-time monitoring of engines and other components are analyzed to predict failures and potential problems before they occur. While embracing predictive main- tenance seems like solid practice, progress may be slowed by the reali- ties of school finances. “School fleets are often a step or
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two behind the rest of the [truck- ing] industry,” said John Summar, assistant director of transportation at Sand Springs. “But like any new tech- nology, it will become the standard.” He added that technicians must be
30 School Transportation News • APRIL 2026
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