BC News

BC Transportation Department gains national recognition for effiency efforts

Release Date: March 23, 2009

The maintenance crew of the district's Transportation Department has been recognized as one of "10 Top Shops" in 2009 by School Bus Fleet magazine, the official news source of the National Association of Pupil Transportation. (Click here to view the article in PDF format.)

School Bus Fleet is one of two major publications in the country dedicated to student transportation. "Top 10 Shops" is an annual series the publication does spotlighting 10 "superb school bus maintenance programs" that keep fleets running smoothly across North America. The article recognizes the district's Transportation Department for its efforts in the areas of safety and efficiency.

"With a motivated crew, ranging from two-year newbies to 21-year veterans, the transportation department at the Bethlehem Central School District operates an efficient shop," the article states.

"The bus-to-technician ratio is about 20:1, but the department’s out-of-service rate has been below 3 percent for the last few years."

The article mentions the district's bus replacement plan as a key factor in helping keep maintenance costs down.

"The department’s maintenance budget grows at the inflation rate, with the 2008 total being only $5,600 over the previous year’s costs," it also states.

In the publication, Transportation Director Alfred Karam complements the maintenance crew for their hard work and this recognition.

“There’s nothing we ask of them that they don’t do for us,” he says. “They focus on safety; they’re not territorial. They’re a great bunch of people to be around.”

 

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