“We stay on top of this every single day,” he said. “Drivers do pre- and post-trip inspections, and our mechanics follow a preventive maintenance schedule that’s designed to catch issues before they become problems.” In addition, staff use tracking systems to flag anything unusual, so nothing slips through. In some cases, the state mandates the inspection schedule. For
Kentucky school system fleets, monthly inspections are required. “Based on the mileage at the time, there are different levels of inspec- tions, and each varies in items inspected and replaced,” Dierker said. Greenville, South Carolina staff perform monthly and annual inspections, with additional checks as needed based on mileage or conditions. An automated maintenance program generates work orders for each vehicle, ensuring timely maintenance and safe operation.
The same practice prevails in Wilmington, where each bus is
brought into the bus garage on a monthly cycle for a full inspection in accordance with North Carolina Department Public Instruction guidelines.
“This inspection is only done by a certified technician who has
many hours of experience and training,” Lippard noted. During an inspection, he said the technician measures tread
depth and brake pad or shoe thickness, all of which have minimal allowances and are replaced if needed. Every bus also undergoes a brake test. The mechanic uses a meter under heavy braking to mea- sure braking efficiency. Lippard added that testing continues in the summer months, when buses are parked for summer break. An even more frequent schedule is followed at San Marcos, where
Trujillo maintains a detailed spreadsheet for all tires in the fleet and checks brake lining thickness every 30 to 35 days. This data allows him to forecast tire wear patterns, monitor brake lining wear and schedule maintenance proactively. “One critical factor often overlooked in our industry is the age of
tire casings,” he said. “We enforce a strict policy of replacing tires once their casings reach seven years from the date of manufacture.” He pointed out that rubber naturally deteriorates over time, and
replacing casings at the seven-year mark represents a proactive step to ensure safety and reliability while mitigating risk to the district.
Purchasing Choices A focus on high quality parts can pay off from both safety and
operational viewpoints, noted Peggy Tesdahl, transportation super- visor for St. Francis Area Schools in Minnesota. “We purchase the hardest brakes we can and we’re always willing to try something new if one of our vendors suggests it,” Tesdahl said. “Some people are just hard on brakes. Brake wear and tire wear go hand in hand, and both are important components in keeping our students safe.” San Marcos only use brake linings and brake drums that meet
Continued on pg. 40 ➥
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