Legislation could be introduced this winter that would require all counties in Maryland to extend their school bus purchasing cycles to 15 years from the current regulation of a 12-year maximum vehicle life and save school budgets in the process.

Leon Langley, the pupil transportation director in the Maryland Department of Education’s Division of Business Services, said the worst state budget crisis in his 30-year career in education has precipitated growing sentiment that the entire state follow the lead of six school districts that currently have permission to run their buses to a maximum of 15 years. The total fiscal year 2010 education budget is $265 million, about $30 million less than last year and approximately the same amount as fiscal year 2007.

“This is the worst economic climate in my life time,” said Langley. “This [extension in the bus replacement cycle] most likely will occur, though there is strong opposition. It has to do with safety no matter how well maintained buses are.”

He added that he expects to see legislators attempt to increase all bus purchase cycles to every 15 years when they reconvene in in January for the 427th session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Section 7-804 of the state’s annotated code provides waivers to schools allowing them to operate school buses up to 15 years old if they meet certain criteria, namely that: they are transit-style school buses in operation by July 1, 2004; the bus must be maintained under an approved preventative maintenance play approved by the Motor Vehicle Administration and passes two annual state police inspections after its 12th year in operation; a bus that has undergone structural repairs as a result of a crash or other reason meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s original standards; the bus is equipped with an eight-light warning system, left-side stop arm, and fire retardant driver and passenger seats for both front- and rear-located engines; or if the state superintendent grants approval.

Currently, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties are allowed under the regulation to operate school buses for 15 years unless those vehicles fail to meet applicable motor vehicle safety standards. Langley added that three additional counties have since received legislative approval to run their buses 15 years.