DCS Replaces Third-Party Transportation with New Minibuses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Susan Falvo
David Escalante
214-944-4520
DCS Replaces Third-Party Transportation with New Minibuses
DALLAS – Dallas County Schools (DCS) and Dallas Independent School District (DISD) are replacing its third-party transportation
in the upcoming 2014-2015 school year with 180 new minibuses driven by uniformed DCS employees. This new fleet will provide
safe, clean and convenient transportation on widespread routes with fewer students.
The 9-passenger minibuses are built to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) school bus construction standards and are
equipped with all of the safety features as a DCS full-sized school bus:
Structural reinforcement and compartmentalization
Heavy-duty frame and extra-wide body to prevent rollovers
Double action energy absorbent body mounting blocks to prevent frame collapse
28” high seat backs
Three-point seat belts for all passengers.
Electronic monitoring of pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections
First-aid kit
Bodily fluid cleanup kit
Fire extinguisher
Two-way communication system
Global Positioning System (GPS) providing real-time tracking
Four (4) digital cameras providing interior and exterior monitoring
Wider aisles to facilitate evacuation
These minibuses also meet or exceed all Texas requirements for pupil transportation to and from school. The only significant
difference between the minibuses and their full-sized counterparts is their lighter weight. Additionally, the minibuses will be painted
blue instead of yellow and will not have stop arms.
“The most important safety feature is the professionalism of DCS drivers,” explained DCS Board President Larry Duncan. Although
minibus drivers are not legally required to have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), DCS has chosen to have its minibus drivers
undergo background checks, driver’s license monitoring, annual physicals, random drug screening, and intensive training with
monthly refreshers, just like it does for its CDL school bus drivers.
The new minibus fleet will predominately transport students in the Vanguard, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Hearing Impaired,
McKinney-Vento, Teen Pregnancy and Parenting, and the Multiple Careers Magnet Center Programs within DISD; and in the
McKinney-Vento Program at Irving ISD.
In addition to letters explaining the new fleet to involved parents, DCS will be conducting town hall meetings to ensure that all such
parents are informed and questions are answered in a timely manner.
ABOUT DALLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
Dallas County Schools (DCS) is one of the top pupil transportation providers in the United States and not only provides pupil
transportation, but also student safety programs, technology solutions, online instructional services, psychology services and risk
management solutions to school districts and government entities in North Texas and throughout the state of Texas. For more
information, visit http://www.dcschools.com
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