Who Travels 1.4 Million Miles per Year?

By Bartow County Schools

As the beginning of school draws near, thoughts of bus safety come to mind as the Bartow County School's Transportation Department gets the buses rolling. 

“We are really looking forward to the start of school. We have a full staff of drivers looking forward to greeting students in the mornings,” said Jody Elrod, director of Transportation. 

Bartow Schools has 198 buses with 146 drivers running 139 routes and serving about 9,500 students a day. They drive an average of 8,056 miles per day, totaling over 1.4 million miles per year, excluding sports. 

The yearly cost for fuel is $1.5 million. 

Each bus is serviced and has a safety inspection every 20 days. Safety is the number one concern when transporting students. When a bus is on their route, loading or unloading students, state law requires the bus to drive under 40 mph. 

If a bus has no more stops and is headed to the school or back to transportation, the bus driver can drive the posted speed limit and not over 55 mph. 

All vehicles (no matter what lane) must stop if a bus’s stop sign is extended unless the road is divided by a concrete or grass median. Since 2012, through a free service to Bartow Schools, Red Flex has installed 12 external bus cameras on buses to catch the license plate of those who run the stop sign. 

This data is automatically sent to Red Flex who works with the sheriff’s department. All buses who operate on Grassdale Road have these external cameras. 

Transportation is always looking to identify routes that can pose a safety concern due to traffic or carelessness of drivers in order to increase transportation safety. Not only do bus drivers have to be concerned with the actual driving of the bus but there are safety procedures when getting on and off a bus. 

All Bartow County buses have internal cameras. 

Back to School Tips

• Students should stay back 12 feet from a bus stop. 

• Do not approach the bus until it comes to a complete stop. 

• Arrive 5 minutes early to the bus stop and do not run to the bus. 

• If your child misses the bus, parents, please do not follow the bus in your car to the next stop. This poses a safety issue as bus drivers are not expecting students to come from the back of the bus. 

• When getting off the bus, look both ways as you are coming down the stairs. 

• If you must cross in front of the bus, look up to the driver and he or she will motion for you to cross when it is clear. 

As the recipient of the Early Bus Replacement Grant Program, Bartow Schools will receive funds toward seven new buses. As required by the grant, Bartow Schools will destroy the engines and chassis of older buses from 1995 which do not meet today’s emission standards. 

“It is always exciting to receive new buses,” commented Elrod. “Our drivers and students will enjoy them. We are excited to contribute to the education process of students here in Bartow County by starting their day off with a smile.” 

If you have questions concerning your bus stop, please contact the BCSS Transportation Department at 770-606-5873. 

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