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30 S C H O O L B U S F L E E T • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0
In the second edition of SCHOOL BUS FLEET’s Equip-
ment Survey, we delved into the topics of technology and
the EPA’s 2010 emissions standards.
When the survey was conducted in mid-July, 32 percent
of respondents had begun running school buses equipped
with engine technology to meet the 2010 standards.
Of those who are running 2010 buses, 43 percent said it
was too early to rate their quality and dependability. Still, 36
percent were ready to deem them good or excellent.
Perhaps refl ecting the budget crises that many school dis-
tricts are facing, 55 percent of respondents don’t expect to
get their fi rst 2010-compliant buses until after the 2010-11
school year.
Elsewhere in the survey, we looked for trends in school
bus operations’ implementation of routing software and
GPS. The percentage of respondents (61) who use a com-
puterized program for routing stayed the same as last year.
But the percentage of those who use GPS to monitor their
buses jumped from 19 to 31.
Another fi nding was that 26 percent of respondents
have video surveillance systems on their entire school bus
fl eet, while 16 percent don’t have surveillance on any of
their buses.
Thirty-nine percent of respondents have lap-shoulder belts
for passengers on some or all of their school buses. Seventy
percent have lap belts on some or all of their buses.
Not represented in a chart: We asked respondents what
one type of equipment they would most like to have on their
buses that they don’t already have.
By far, the most common answer was GPS, at 24 percent of
respondents. Fourteen percent said they want video surveil-
lance systems, and 10 percent said air conditioning.
Other responses included engine preheaters, student ID
card readers, remote-controlled mirrors and wireless Inter-
net access. On the other hand, several respondents said that
there’s no other equipment they want, with one person even
noting, “Too much already.”
For this survey, a questionnaire was e-mailed to directors
and managers at school district transportation departments
and school bus contractor companies with a variety of fl eet
sizes. A total of 134 responses was received. Our thanks to
everyone who participated. [email protected]
This year’s survey fi nds that the percentage of
respondents using GPS jumped from 19 to 31.
The tracking technology is also the most-wanted
type of equipment.
BY THOMAS MCMAHON, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
GPS Is in
Demand for School Bus Fleets
2010 equipment surveyw
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31S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 • S C H O O L B U S F L E E T
Yes
32%
No
68%
Running 2010 buses yet?
At the time of the survey (mid-July), about a third (32 percent) of respondents had begun running school buses equipped with engine technology to meet the EPA’s 2010 emissions standards.
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
After 2010-11
2nd half 2010-11
1st half 2010-11
Before 2010-11
Percentage of Respondents
16%
16%
13%
55%
If not yet, when do you expect to get them?
Among those not yet running 2010-compliant buses, more than half (55 percent) don’t expect to get their fi rst models until after the 2010-11 school year.
Good
24%
Fair
11%Poor
10%
Too early to tell
43%
Excellent
12%
If so, how do you rate them?
While close to half (43 percent) of respondents who are running 2010 buses say it’s too early to rate their quality and dependability, more than a third (36 per-cent) deem them good or excellent.
Positive
9%Somewhat
positive
16%
Neutral
25%
Somewhat negative
15%
Negative
11%
Not sure
24%
Impact of the 2010 standards?
Respondents are spread across the spectrum when it comes to how they de-scribe the overall impact of the 2010 emissions standards.
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32 S C H O O L B U S F L E E T • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0
Percentage of Respondents
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%0%
100%
75-99%
50-74%
25-49%
1-24%
0% 61%
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
Fle
et
4%1%1%
3%30%
How much of your fl eet has …?
LAP-SHOULDER BELTS
Percentage of Respondents
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%0%
100%
75-99%
50-74%
25-49%
1-24%
0%
44%
Perc
en
tag
e o
f Fle
et
2%4%
11%8%
31%AIR CONDITIONING
Percentage of Respondents
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%0% 5% 10%
100%
75-99%
50-74%
25-49%
1-24%
0%
37%
Perc
en
tag
e o
f F
lee
t
12%8%
2%11%
30%LAP BELTS
Percentage of Respondents
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
100%
75-99%
50-74%
25-49%
1-24%
0%
15%
Perc
en
tag
e o
f Fle
et
26%20%
15%8%
16%VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
Nearly two-fi fths (39 percent) of respondents have lap-shoulder belts for passengers on some or all of their school buses. Seventy percent have lap belts on some or all of their buses. Just over a quarter (26 percent) of respondents have video surveillance systems on their entire school bus fl eet, while 16 percent don’t have surveillance on any buses.
SBF9survey_revised.indd 32SBF9survey_revised.indd 32 8/30/10 7:32:41 AM8/30/10 7:32:41 AM
33S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 • S C H O O L B U S F L E E T
www.schoolbusfleet.com/freeinfo/19282
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Yes
61%
No
39%
Use routing software?
About three-fi fths (61 percent) of the operations surveyed use a computerized program for routing. The percentages were the same last year.
Yes
31%
No
69%
Use GPS?
In a big jump from last year’s survey, 31 percent (up from 19 per-cent) of respondents are using GPS to monitor their buses.
SBF9survey_revised.indd 33SBF9survey_revised.indd 33 8/30/10 7:32:41 AM8/30/10 7:32:41 AM
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Because every mile matters.SM
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Imagine if every
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www.schoolbusfleet.com/freeinfo/19125
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