SCHOOL BUS MAINTENANCE

PM Manual for Virginia School Buses

School Bus Specifications for Virginia School Buses

Purchasing School Buses  in Virginia

Pilot Projects for Virginia School Buses

NHTSA Recalls, Defects, and Noncompliance Notices

Heads Up -  Watch Out for These Potential Problems

 

Preventive Maintenance Manual for Virginia School Buses

The Preventive Maintenance Manual (PDF) includes daily pre-trip inspections, inspection schedules and guidelines, shop records and inventory control, and record keeping materials to assist local school divisions in meeting Board of Education transportation regulation 8VAC20-70-380.

School Bus Specifications

Virginia school bus specifications effective October 2008 (PDF) includes School Bus Specifications applicable for Virginia buses.

Purchasing School Buses

VDOE enters into contracts for the purchase of public school buses through a rigorous competitive bid process conducted by the Virginia Department of General Services (DGS).

·         School bus contract information

·         To purchase school buses, use the eVA Web-based procurement system.

Pilot Projects

When a new technology, piece of equipment, or component is desired to be applied to the school bus, it must have the VDOE approval. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ask school divisions to participate in a pilot project. The pilot project will need to be tested and completed in multiple regions of the state before it can be forwarded to the specifications committee to be added to the bid list.

Procedures for Pilot Projects (PDF), revised September 1, 2007. Includes application process, guidelines, application form and reporting information.

NHTSA Recalls, Defects, and Noncompliance Notices

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation issues Monthly Recall Reports.

Past NHTSA SAFETY DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE NOTICES

 

Heads Up -  Watch Out for These Potential Problems

The following are Maintenance Problems Indentified by Local Maintenance Staff. To share new or recurring problems you may find, please contact Tim Parker.

Older Instances: Occurring prior to 2009 

Bus Fire on 2006 IC Conventional Bus

Warren County reports that they had the battery cable and wiring harness melt which subsequently resulted in a fire in the battery box. For more information, contact Jerry Smith at 540-636-2600.



Bus Fire - 1998 Thomas Saf-T-Liner 78 Passenger School Bus


AmTram Side Door Issue PowerPoint

We have two 2004 International rear engine school buses that pulled one of the front shock absorbers through the upper frame mount.  The nut on the upper shock mount is actually cupping the washer and pulling the shock through the washer and bushing.  Kingmor is sending a UPS call tag for the defective shocks.  The shocks are branded 'International', with the part numbers : 203 549C1 RE C202W1

The only symptom has been a 'banging' or 'knocking' in the front end.   

R.C. 'Pete' Peterson

Bus Section Supervisor

Arlington, VA 22206

 

 

What's in Your Tank?

Fairfax has had a few of our brand new 2005 Amtran REs with less than 1500
miles experience a problem with fine particles of some rusty substance
clogging the fuel filters.
 


 

 

A picture of a new problem with 2000 model Thomas FE units. Fairfax has had a few fuel lines chaffing near the frame rail as pictured.

 Again, as you come across tips that everyone can use, just write them down and either mail, e-mail, or fax them to Tim Parker

 

Fraime Rail PDF

You May want to check your lift door handles a little bit closer


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Last Update: 7/01/2010
Web Author: Jaime Gallego
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