Director of Transportation:

Dan Lamarre
Dispatcher/Driver:

Sheila Godin
Dispatcher/Driver:
Stephanie Johnson
1142 Highland Avenue
S Portland, ME 04016
Phone: 207-767-7714
Fax: 207-767-7715
Garage:207-767-4284

School Bus Idling Procedure
Several recently published studies regarding how school buses operate have begun to identify diesel engine fumes in the school bus cabin as a possible health hazard to children as well as employees. While there is still much to debate regarding what is an acceptable level and what technologies are needed to alleviate the problem; on definable cause of diesel fumes entering the cabin has been identified as idling school buses. More specifically, when loading students, particularly when several buses are queued at once. As a result of these findings, and guidelines from the DEP regarding new rules designed to control diesel fumes near schools, we have implemented the following procedure immediately:

Loading Students: All school buses are prohibited from idling when students are being loaded (does not apply to route stops). When arriving at a school to load students, the driver should see to it that all windows are closed, and the engine is shut off. Roof vents can remain open. When loading students, lights should be activated without the bus running. The engine shall not be turned on until such time as all students are loaded and the door is securely closed. Windows may not be opened until the vehicle is in motion and has cleared the immediate proximity of the school. Should you be queued in a line with other buses, no bus driver shall start the engine until all buses are ready to leave. The lead bus in the queue should control movement at all time and other drivers should await the word that buses are ready to move before starting engines. Should a bus become delayed an excessive amount of time due to a problem with a student, breakdown, etc. buses are free to maneuver around the vehicle and leave the area at the drivers discretion. The delayed bus should make sure windows and doors are closed while other buses depart. Buses such as special education buses (who may be ready to leave a school earlier than large route buses) are free to leave anytime after the bus is loaded.

Exception to this policy: Buses will be allowed to idle at schools anytime the temperature falls below 20 degrees, driving windows need defrosting, or an emergency situation dictates.

Bus Storage Yard: Drivers are prohibited from idling buses in excess of ten minutes. Please shut your buss off when you enter the storage facility after a five- (5) minute cool down. On cold mornings when condensation has frosted windows and extra time is needed to defrost them, drivers will be allowed up to 10 minutes idling time in the bus storage area.

Please limit your idling time anytime you are near a school. It goes without saying that buses should not be running when a driver is away from the unit. Idling buses waste fuel and are a potential source of carcinogenic pollutants. Asthma and respiratory problems are also aggravated by prolonged exposure to diesel fumes. Your continued help with setting conditions for student success are appreciated.