DEPARTMENT of Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs Anthony Babauta yesterday visited the main repair shop for school buses located on the Department of Public Works compound.
DPW Executive Director Joanne Brown and DPW’s transportation staff, bus drivers and mechanics updated Babauta on the current status of school bus operations.
The oldest bus currently in use is 22 years old, while the newest bus is 7 years old. The lifespan of a bus is supposed to be only 10 years.
In addition, the number of operational buses has dropped over the last four years. In 2008, DPW had around 125 to 130 buses in operation. This year, the number of buses being used stands at around 110 to 115.
Several of these buses, although they are running, are not in mint condition. Due to their ages, a number of the buses are suffering from severe rust on the outside and on the steps and floor on the inside.
Currently, eight buses need engine replacement, 12 buses need other miscellaneous repairs, and 24 buses will potentially need major repairs because of excessive oil consumption.
“We can keep the bus running, but where do we draw the line for the safety of the kids versus how many buses we want running,” said Paul Cepeda, DPW superintendent of transportation and maintenance.
To replace these buses, DPW has developed plans to upgrade the aging bus fleet slowly over the next several years.
In addition to the need to repair and replace buses, concerns were also raised over the facilities needed to maintain the buses and the staff.
For instance, the substations are termite-infested and have holes in their roofs and floors. The joke is that the substations are being held together by villages of termites holding hands.
In terms of staffing, the number of drivers and mechanics has decreased over the years. At this time, there are only 12 mechanics to see to the needs of the fleet of 109 buses.
The total bus operations expenditures for 2012 are projected to be $7.02 million. Last fiscal year, expenditures totaled $6.57 million.
During the meeting, Babauta expressed the need for further discussions with Brown, the Legislature and the governor to come to solutions as to how to assist the department.
“I don’t have the amount of resources that could help them out in what they described they need with the fleet,” Babauta said. “I think we can help address some of it but clearly there’s a need for a longer term plan that funds this operation, ensures that they have an adequate bus fleet, ensures that they have adequate shelter for the kids, and that their jobs are being carried out in the best and safest way possible,” he said.
