Okemos Public Schools Transportation Department

Todd E. SharpDirector of TransportationFebruary 10, 2014

The Importance of School Buses in The United States of America

The nation’s fleet of 480,000 Yellow School Buses provides safe and environmentally friendly transportation to 26 million children every day

There are more school buses than planes, trains, and transit buses combined

Every school bus reduces traffic by 36 cars

The Importance of School Buses The National Academy of Sciences,

U.S. Department of Transportation and other authorities agree that school buses are the safest form of transportation for getting children to and from school

The Importance of School Buses Yellow School Buses support

academic achievement with equal access to educational opportunities

School bus drivers are the first and last student contact each day

Safe Vehicles School buses are designed specifically to

protect students on and off the bus with special safety features not available on any other vehicle

Safety features of school buses include: Color Size and height Reinforced sides Flashing red lights Cross view mirrors Stop sign arm

Flashing Red lights

Size & Height

Crossview

Mirrors

Stop sign arm

Reinforced Sides

Okemos Transportation Data

We transported 1,282 students in 2012-2013

We traveled 167,760 miles without injury

We accomplished this with 13 route buses and 4 substitute buses

Okemos Transportation Our staff includes 13 regular drivers, 1 lead fleet

mechanic, 1 part-time mechanic, 1 secretary/dispatcher, and 5 substitute drivers

We complete 65 routes per day, made up of: 26 Secondary (7-12) routes 24 Elementary (K-6) routes 2 After school routes 2 Special needs routes 2 Summer academic routes

We also provided: 323 athletic/music event trips 196 classroom learning event trips

Dedicated Professionals School bus drivers receive specialized training in:

Student behavior management Loading and Unloading Security and emergency medical procedures

Drivers participate in pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing, as well as frequent driving record checks

School bus drivers are the most highly trained, tested, and scrutinized drivers on the road

School bus technicians receive specialized training, participate in national competitions and follow strict maintenance programs

Drivers complete a pre-trip inspection each morning, inspecting over 200 parts to ensure safe operation

Our Fleet Maintenance Division We maintain 35 buses (Okemos/Haslett) Our mechanics perform numerous tasks including:

Fleet preventative maintenance Diesel engine diagnostic/repair Basic alignments Tire service

Michigan State Police Bus Inspections Okemos = 100% Excellent rating Haslett = 94% Very Good rating

Our Lead Fleet Mechanic (Aaron Dempsey) 1st place at 2003 & 2010 MAPT Mechanic competition 7th place at 2010 NAPT Mechanic competition in Jasper, IN 3rd place at 2003 NAPT Mechanic competition in High Pointe, NC

Striving for Efficiency Steps we have taken to reduce costs:

Reduce idling with Proheat systems Instituted a “No Idling” policy Sell scrap metal/waste engine oil to recycle

company Decreased number of bus stops Increased non-transportation areas in district

Results of these efforts: Reduced the number of buses required Less diesel fuel consumed Buses operate at, or near capacity

Environmental Contribution in our Community Cost of fuel for transporting one

private vehicle making two round trips to school = $681

Total daily car mileage saved by students riding school buses = 52,240 miles

Total annual car mileage saved by students riding school buses = 9,142,000 miles

Environmental Contribution Cont. Total annual car fuel savings by students

riding school buses = 457,100 gallons Total annual car fuel COST savings by

students riding school buses = $1,777,662 Total community savings in fuel by

students riding school buses = 433,700 gallons

Total community savings in fuel cost per year by students riding school buses = $1,703,367

Environmental Contribution Cont. Two separate EPA grants between

2004-2006 for over 600 diesel oxidation catalysts

MDEQ grant in 2009 for 21 diesel multi stage filters and crankcase filtration systems.

EPA grant of $877,076 in 2010 for 335 Proheat systems

A picture from our past

This is what it’s all about!