These empty bus seats will soon be filled, as buses will be on the road next week picking up and dropping off students for a new school year.
WINSTON COUNTY - As a new school literally rolls around the corner, the Winston County Schools system assures their fleet of buses is ready to roll, but that the public and students show follow important safety tips before the roadways become more crowded with the large yellow student carriers.
When school starts for students at Winston County Schools on Monday, Aug. 7, and for Haleyville City Schools students on Wednesday, Aug. 9, all of the buses will be equipped with air conditioning, which will be of great benefit, since the first two months of a school year have scorching hot temperatures, school officials have indicated.
Last year, Winston County Schools received $175,000 in state fleet renewal funds, which provided six newer model buses to replace six older 2007 model buses, stressed Jeff Scott, transportation supervisor for Winston County Schools, which provides buses for both the county and Haleyville city system each year.
This year, WC Schools received $54,394 for two special needs buses which replaced two older models--one being a 2006 model, the other a 2004 model, Scott added.
The new buses replacing them will be two 2024 model Thomas Safety Liners, each 54 passenger, according to Scott. The two older buses being replaced were only 34 passenger capacity, he noted.
The newer model special needs buses have what is called a track system, where seats can be removed in order to allow additional space for students in wheelchairs, officials said.
“The older models, (the seats) were bolted down,” he noted.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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