Brandon Twp.-The rather rough ride for the aging school bus fleet may be just a little smoother following last weeks board meeting.
The board Ok’d the purchase of eight 77 passenger and two 47 passenger buses at a cost to the district of $631,580. The 10 new buses should be set for the 2005-06 school year says Bart Jenniches, Brandon superintendent.
‘Typically 10 percent or about three to four buses each year should be replaced,? said Jenniches.
‘Since the state financial crises hit the schools we held off any new purchases of buses. No one ever figured we’re get money each year, now it’s to the point they need to be replaced, it will cost us more to keep the buses running than to replace. They may not pass state inspection.?
The last new school bus purchase was in 2001 however, a used 2000 bus was purchased in Aug. 2004.
The purchase comes on the heels of a report issued to the board last spring from Betty Martin, Brandon School transportation director. According to the report only one Brandon bus is a 2001 model, the other 35 buses range in age from 1990 to 2000. The 36-bus fleet travels about 460,000 miles each year and completes 140 trips each week. The bus mileage ranges from about 22,000 to more than 200,000 (as of Jan. 19, 2004).
‘We’re excited about the new buses. They should serve the district well.?
‘Without new buses it gets very costly and the buses are no longer reliable.?