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jluensman
New Member
USA
1 Posts |
 Posted - 12/19/2002 : 06:07:00 AM
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The seats in our buses are 39" wide. I am told that this width is sufficient to accomodate three middle school students per seat. The normal classroom chairs they use are 15" wide. Something doesn't fit. This causes overcrowding on our buses as our transportation people use the "72 maximum seating" as the rule for middle school students. It doesn't work. Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated.
J.E.Luensman
Security Assistant
E.B. Wood Middle School
Rockville, Md. |
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gonzosbus
Senior Member
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 06:46:27 AM
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According to Arizona Standards, Elementary students ride 3 to a seat in a 39 inch seat or a 3-3 configuration (13 inches per rump), Middle school and high School students would be seated in a 3-2 configuration or 45"/30" (15 inch per Rump) the word "Rump" is the actual terminology in the book. the 3-2 seating set up cuts down on your capacity and I know of several High School Districts that still order 3-3 seating so they can have the higher capacity. They can get away with this since they are Unified districts and service Elementary students as well.
everyone have a safe and happy holiday! Armando Cuellar,Madison Elementary School District #38, Phoenix Arizona.
Safety First |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 08:08:25 AM
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39" is what all the standard seats are. Problem is, that middle school students are a little wider than that, in some cases. I don't think it'll make much difference when the feds new seat belt/restraint issues are released. Most everyone will have to go to a 3-2 seating deal because of the shoulder belt requirement. That will mean a 30" seat and a 45" seat and that=15" rump room! In the meantime it'll be tough to fit 'em all.
Joe
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William Johnston
Senior Member
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 10:30:56 AM
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The 13" per rump is a maximum capacity for the bus. Sometimes the office will use this as a license to fill the bus up to that maximum capacity. The part of the law that they will over look is that the isles must be open and clear, and that all students must be within the seating compartment. None of the students should not be hanging in the isle.
William
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Starbus
Active Member
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 10:35:48 AM
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When planning field trips I always use this rule of thumb. Grades 5-12 50 students per bus. Grades 4 and under I will sometimes fill the bus to capacity. All of our school buses are 71 pass.
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 1:17:28 PM
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quote:
39" is what all the standard seats are. Problem is, that middle school students are a little wider than that, in some cases. I don't think it'll make much difference when the feds new seat belt/restraint issues are released. Most everyone will have to go to a 3-2 seating deal because of the shoulder belt requirement. That will mean a 30" seat and a 45" seat and that=15" rump room! In the meantime it'll be tough to fit 'em all.
Joe
Does this mean that everyone will have to have seat belts on their buses, no exceptions? I highly disagree with that, if that is the requirement.
Stop at: http://buses.thesummit.biz
This is an industry where people brag about their times for 60-0, not 0-60. |
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Thomasfan89
Top Member
USA
1155 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 1:53:59 PM
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quote:
Does this mean that everyone will have to have seat belts on their buses, no exceptions? I highly disagree with that, if that is the requirement.
I diagree 110% also!!! I even wrote a artical for english about being against this!
Greg Hovan
Visit the school bus garage http://schoolbusgarage.tripod.com |
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LaidlawDriverMassachusetts
Senior Member
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 2:08:03 PM
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"I diagree 110% also!!! I even wrote a artical for english about being against this!
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WHile you are writing articles ...write an article about my bus and my situation. It really aggrivates me that I have the longest route in town, an overcrowded bus, but i'm still stuck in a 72 psngr because this one and that one want the newer busses. And when I pass them they have at least 15 kids less than me!!! Ok had to vent !!!!!!!!!
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Thomasfan89
Top Member
USA
1155 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2002 : 3:53:46 PM
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Well I was disagreeing about SEATBELTS on buses, I don't like them on school buses, on cars it is fine, I always wear one in a car. and and that is my opinion. I was not disagreeing about 3 to a seat, I think that is fine as long as they all fit in the legal limit, that is dandy with me. I have ridden on a trip on a but 3 in a seat. It didn't bother me and I am sorry if I sound offensive and I am sorry your bus is crowded.
Greg Hovan
Visit the school bus garage http://schoolbusgarage.tripod.com |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2002 : 06:53:30 AM
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I expect to see the 3 point shoulder/lap belts as a requirement on all buses in the very near future! Lets see what happens.
Joe
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thomasboy
Active Member
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2002 : 02:16:00 AM
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Sometime ago I had heard of buses going to 102" instead of the current 96" wide. This would give seats an additional inch of space per "rump", but is that enough? I would say K-5th grade three to a seat is satisfactory for those years aged students, but older students need more space for themselves and their stuff (bigger bookbags for bigger books, a gym bag, musical instruments if any, etc....), and that generally starts in sixth grade. Has anyone measured at what age does a 13" "rump" begin?, and actually maybe we should be measuring the upper torso? Isn't across the shoulders the widest part of the body? I've noticed that the more crowding there is the more stress there is on the students (and driver) and more stress on students causes them to be louder and there are more discipline problems. Yes, I know common sense also says the more kids you have more the noise level. Also, what about the safety issue of keeping the aisle clear? Does this concern drivers? Our state, local school and insurance policy is that as long as the riders have a cheek in the seat, then it is fine. I disagree with this policy, but if that is what they say then...?
quote:
When planning field trips I always use this rule of thumb. Grades 5-12 50 students per bus. Grades 4 and under I will sometimes fill the bus to capacity. All of our school buses are 71 pass.
I'm assuming that is approximately 2 per seat for upper grades and 3 per seat for lower grades. My question is: is this number including chaperones, sponsors, and/or teachers?
I certainly hope that seatbelts are not required in the future!.
Joe
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lasbus24
New Member
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2003 : 09:45:47 AM
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| In Indiana the state law says that all passengers must be completely in the seating compartment.That means that if you try to put 3 middle schoolers in a seat and one of their butts is hanging into the aisle you are breaking the law and putting that child at risk if there is an accident because the are not being protected by the compartmental area.I had this on my bus a few years ago and refused to drive them all until the route was fixed. If there had been an accident I would have been listed first on the law suit.It's our job as drivers to know the laws and protect the kids. |
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mr.dave
Advanced Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2003 : 5:38:04 PM
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When putting three students in one seat be sure to remove their arms, and return same at the end of the ride. Otherwise elbows will contact ribs causing students to fidgit, squirm, and fight. This goes for all grades.
salom dave |
Shiny side up, greasy side down |
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Rabid_Loser
Senior Member
90 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2003 : 10:53:19 PM
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I diagree 110% also!!! I even wrote a artical for english about being against this!
Greg Hovan
lol...english no require use of spell check...? j/k crowding is always going to be an issue...setbelts will not resolve any thing...just give more crap for students to break. |
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Seating Capacities
