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San Marcos Unified School District in California strives


to capture the most lifespan out of its vehicles, while also upgrading them with the latest technology. The district, which is located north of San Diego, carries out most of its refurbs in-house. Besides sending the vehicles to a local contractor for a paint job every 10 years, the district adds new camera systems, repairs seats, rebuilds motors, replac- es transmissions and upgrades technological capabilities. “Here in California, we don’t have snow, we don’t


have salt and we don’t have ice,” noted Michael Sawyer, executive director of transportation. “So, our buses tend to keep for 25 years.” Sawyer added that the district is still allowed to operate


diesel-powered school buses, which have iron-clad motors and transmission systems, so there isn’t a need for so many new school buses. “They are just really strong, heavy-du- ty buses. We keep them well-maintained and keep them looking nice for California Highway Patrol inspections. You can drive them for a long time,” Sawyer added. San Marcos USD currently has 13 buses that were built in 1998, and two 1999 transit-style buses that are most- ly used for field trips and/or activity trips. One obstacle to keeping school buses in California for a long time is the state law that new purchases after 2005 must be equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts.


“These buses were purchased way before that, so they


don’t have seat belts in them—that’s the downside,” Saw- yer said. “I wouldn’t refurbish these buses with seat belts, but as we replace the buses, obviously, the new buses will have seat belts.” San Marcos’ fleet currently includes 47 school buses


with the three-point seat belts and 27 without them. The buses without seat belts are mostly only used for activity trips.Sawyer said the district has used those rear engine buses for 20 years. Another option for school bus refurbishment is to


simply update their look or install the latest technology, camera or apps. Perryton ISD in the rural Texas Pan- handle is going in a different direction. To date, it has been unable to hire a full-time transportation director. It recently outsourced transportation management, as well as bus repair, to a third party company. Superintendent Tim Little, Ph.D., said that Perrytown’s buses are being fixed for safety-related issues. Typical items include replacing broken window glass and lights. But the buses also need cosmetic updates, such as clean- ing and repainting the wheels, spot painting the buses and replacing any interior damage. Little also reported that all of the buses are receiving high-definition camera systems and two-way radios.


Buck’s Since 1951


Buck’s Wheel & Equipment “We are the school bus parts specialists”


Buck’s Wheel & Equipment is your #1 source for School Bus Parts. Buck’s Wheel supplies all your major bus parts including Switches, Lights, Seats, Seat Covers, Bluebird, Tomas and also International parts. Please contact your sales representative for any further details and shipping.


Service Dept. • Collision Center • Parts Dept. • Spring Shop Serving the Industry for Over 65 Years.


5101 North Main Street Fort Worth, TX 76179 www.buckswheel.com


Bucks_0718_HH.indd 1


Phone: 817-332-1228 Toll Free: 800-792-1011


www.stnonline.com 19 6/6/18 11:08 AM


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