Department of Education

 

GDForum ID: 2588

Step 1

Description of Proposed Guidance Document Changes

The proposed changes to the Virginia Public School Bus Specifications were developed in consultation with the Department’s Specifications Committee, which is comprised of pupil transportation directors from school divisions representing each of the eight superintendent’s regions, the Virginia State Police, school bus manufacturers, and Virginia school bus dealers. An additional meeting was held July 1, 2024, to receive input and feedback from a broader group of stakeholders on the proposed revisions to the Specifications that included superintendents, school board members, and parents. Attachment 1 is a summary listing of key changes proposed to the Specifications. The complete specifications document (Attachment 2) has been updated and revised to increase the safety and efficiency of various bus components and equipment, to incorporate various recommendations from the latest national specifications document, and to aid in the procurement of alternative fuel school buses. Additional notations have been made in the specifications document in alignment with HB937, encouraging local school divisions to implement innovative low-cost or no-cost alternatives to transporting students to and from school on buses. None of the proposed changes to the specifications represent significant deviations from standard industry practices. All the recommended specifications comply with the safety requirements of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Other changes are made for consistency with requirements in the Regulations Governing Pupil Transportation and the Code of Virginia.

 

Step 2

Guidance Document(s) for this Comment Forum

Document ID	Document Title	Current Document	Proposed Document
Transportation	Virginia School Bus Specifications	Document	Proposed Document

 

Step 3

Contact Information

 

  Contact Information