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ARE YOU FACED WITH AN AGING FLEET?
California still has almost 50% of the pre-1977 school buses that are on the roads in American. The need for a bus replacement program is immediate. With the state at an all time funding low and the overall number of buses being replaced each year dropping, coupled with the state reduction in school funding, the Transportation Directors of California’s School Districts are faced with an aging fleet, buses that do not meet federal safety standards, reduced funding and increased maintenance costs.
The following information is being provided in order to offer alternatives to increasing walking distance, reducing routes, maintaining older buses, using more and more resources, or cutting transportation altogether.
What Will You Have in 5 Years?
This is an interesting question. When all school districts have been hit hard by shrinking budgets and face uncertain times, it would appear that the best course would be to wait and see what is going to happen. But is that really in the best interest of the children riding your buses?
If you can see the wisdom of starting a Bus Replacement Program you will, in five years, be able to say your district is on the road to having a new fleet, using the latest technology in safety and emission reduction. If not, you will able to say you have a School Bus Fleet that is five years older.
School Bus Replacement Program
A-Z Bus Sales, in conjunction with Blue Bird Finance and A-Z Resources, has put together a program to meet the needs of your School District.
If your fleet age exceed the norm or needs additional repair costs, more than likely, several of these buses need to be replaced. Add the high maintenance cost, safety improvements made since manufacture date and because replacing these buses will cause a reduction in the emissions level, A-Z Bus Sales would propose that your district lease/purchase the number of buses that would be used to replace the oldest buses in your fleet and maintain this replacement program until the average age of your fleet is between 7-10 years.
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A-Z Used Bus Sales would determine the value of the buses being replaced and use that number as either a down payment on new buses or pay to your district at the time of replacement.
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A-Z Resources, using their various contacts would secure the lowest possible interest rate and provide a financing package to meet the needs of the district.
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A-Z New School Bus Sales will work with the local AQMD and Clean Cities Coalition to seek funding when and where available.
The team at A-Z Bus Sales would provide your district with a complete cost breakdown based on certain information provide - as to the after purchase cost of any new school buses. By using the propriety software developed for schools, A-Z Bus Sales will provide an analysis of the cost for running your district’s buses and compare this against the cost of a new lease/purchased bus. This will allow you to make an informed decision on the feasibility of implementing a bus replacement program.
Please contact Jim Reynolds, Vice President - Sales, at (800) 437-5522 ext. 1853 or at jreynolds@a-zbus.com for more information. | 