Ask the Pros

Question: I need to know long a school bus can go without being serviced? Our buses are due every 3,000 miles, but some have gone beyond that without being serviced. We have some that are 5,000 miles or more past due. Is this a safety problem that we need to address to management?

Dennis Mcneill: The short answer is yes, it is definitely something that you need to address to management, especially since the current situation appears to be violating your own established 3,000 mile frequency requirements. The Preventive Maintenance schedules established by the vehicle manufacturers are the basis for any fleet PM program. They should be followed as closely as possible to ensure the longest possible trouble-free life of the vehicle.

The issue of compliance with regulatory vehicle safety inspection frequencies is far more serious and may be violating the legal requirements of the state. Aside from the obvious consequences of the liability your employer would face in the event of a safety-related accident, there is the issue of failing to comply with the regulatory requirements, usually spelled out in the Motor Vehicle Code. In most states, the failure of a school bus operator to comply with the required inspection frequencies could, in a worst case situation, result in loss of operating certification, major fines and other penalties. I know of responsible operators whose policy it is to shut down any bus in advance of the inspection due date to ensure they are in compliance with the law.

Source: School Bus Technician, May, 1999