Saint Paul Public Schools
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Selected Safety Requiements from the Contract for Transportation Services

The contract for student transportation between the Saint Paul Public Schools and our school bus contractors contains stringent safety requirements for the school buses transporting our students.

Vehicle Capacity
The number of passengers carried on a field trip, athletic trip, or Community Education trip may not exceed the manufacturer's rated seating capacity adjusted for the individual size of the passengers.  No student or other passenger may stand, or sit in the lap of another person, while the bus is in motion.  It is the responsibility of the driver to report overloads to the dispatcher before leaving the point of origin.  The driver is responsible for any traffic citations issued, and fines levied, for field/athletic trip overload situations.  Under no circumstances should a driver transport an overload.

Route and Field/Athletic Trip Overloads
Drivers must never transport numbers of students that exceed the seating capacity of the vehicle as outlined in section III-D-143 of the Specifications for Pupil Transportation section of the contract for transportation services.  It is the responsibility of the driver to immediately report any passenger overloads experienced to his/her dispatcher via the two-way radio system.  It is the responsibility of the contractor to immediately report any overloads to the Transportation Department.

Passengers Standing or Moving Around the School Bus
Minnesota Statute §169.447 Subdivision (B) requires that all passengers in a school bus shall remain seated while the bus is in motion.  No student, teacher, assistant, District staff person, athletic coach, or parent shall be allowed to stand, or sit in the lap of another person, while the bus is in motion.  This will include special education bus assistants unless the assistant is responding to an incident or emergency on the school bus.  Under no circumstances may School Bus Safety Assistants, or so-called "Bus Patrols" stand, or move around, while the bus is in motion.

    It is the responsibility of the driver to instruct any person, including school staff or chaperones, who are standing in a moving school bus to immediately become seated.  If the person refuses to comply with the request the driver must stop the bus and again repeat the request.  If the person still refuses to comply the driver should request assistance from District safety supervisory staff via the dispatcher.  All incidents of persons standing should be reported to the principal on the District Incident Report Form.  This includes incidents involving school staff.

Compliance Review
The District Director of Transportation, Manager of Safety Operations, or Traffic Operations Coordinator may conduct a review of contractor compliance with the requirements of the Specifications for zPupil Transportation section of the contract for transportation services at any time.  This review, which may be conducted at the contractors terminal, may include drivers hours of service, records of maintenance of vehicles, drivers pre-trip inspection logs, commercial and school bus driver license documentation, school bus driver training documentation, in-service training documentation, annual safety evaluation documentation, accidents involving vehicles on District route service, or other factors determined by the District.

Contractor Safety Responsibilities
Each contractor is responsible for development of appropriate and effective safety management controls, including policies, programs, practices, and procedures, to ensure compliance with all provisions of these Specifications and with all applicable Federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, to ensure the safe transportation of District students, and to reduce the risk of motor vehicle or personal injury accidents

School Bus Identification
School Bus Identification    Each school bus transporting students to or from school shall display the words "SCHOOL BUS" to the front and rear in conformance with Minnesota Statute §169.441 subdivision 3.  Any school bus transporting students on any District service while displaying “SPECIAL” or “CHARTER” signs, or with the school bus sign covered, shall be deemed to be in violation of this contract.

This section does not prohibit a school bus that is transporting non-students on District service, such as participants in Community Education activities, from displaying “CHARTER” or other approved signs as required by law and outlined in Section III-C-46 of the Specifications for Pupil Transportation section of the contract for transportation services.  Buses transporting Early Childhood and Family Education service under Section II-G of Specifications for Pupil Transportation section of the contract for transportation services may, at the contractor’s discretion, display “ECFE” signs.

Equipment Age and Standards
Equipment Age and Standards - School Bus   All Type A, B, C, and D, school buses that are regularly assigned to Saint Paul Public School routes, field trips, and activity trips, shall have an actual date of manufacture of 1999 or newer.  Exhibit “A” listing all equipment to be used under this contract must be submitted to the Manager of Safety Operations no later than August 28, 2009, and must be updated as changes in equipment occurs.  Spare buses must be designated as “spare” under the Route Number on Exhibit “A” of the contract bid.
   
All contractors must maintain an annual equipment replacement schedule and the average age of all approved equipment must not be more that 6 years from the date of manufacture shown on the manufacturer’s plate based upon the starting date of this contract.

Type A, B, C, and D vehicles used solely as spare equipment shall have an actual date of manufacture of 1998 or newer and may not be utilized on a regular basis.  Type III Vehicles are prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Director of Transportation or the Route Operations Manager.  All Type III vehicles approved for use must comply with the age requirements contained in Minnesota Statute §169.454.  Under no circumstances shall a nonconforming vehicle, as defined in these Specifications, be used to transport District students.
   
The use of a vehicle with an actual date of manufacture prior to 1999 as a regular route bus, or an actual date of manufacture prior to 1998 for a spare vehicle, is prohibited. The contractor operating a vehicle which is not in compliance with this section that has not been granted a written waiver under Section III-D-62 of the Specifications for pupil transportation section of the contract for transportation services will be assessed a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per route affected per day not in compliance.

All vehicles must comply with the specifications contained in Chapter 169 of Minnesota Statutes and with subsequent changes made by the Minnesota Legislature, or other authorized rulemaking body.  All vehicles must also comply with the provisions of Section 7400 (Rules 7413.0200 through 7470.1700) of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Rules.

Road Coaches, Transit Equipment, Other Non School Bus Type Vehicles
Road Coaches, Transit Equipment, Other Non School Bus Type Vehicles   Road Coaches, Transit Equipment, and other non school bus type vehicles, including "mini coaches", shall not be utilized for the transportation of pupils on any route operated by Independent School District No. 625 at any time.  Such vehicles may be utilized for the transportation of pupils on field trips or athletic trips by a contractor possessing charter carrier authority only when specifically ordered by, or authorized by, the District Transportation Department.  This section does not prohibit the use of the type D school bus, also called "transit type", or forward control (FC), conforming to the provisions contained in Minnesota Statutes.

Equipment Age - Non School Bus Equipment
Equipment Age and Standards - Non School Bus    Coach, transit, and other non school bus type buses utilized for field trip, activity trip, or Community Education transportation may have an actual date of manufacture prior to 1999 provided that the equipment meets all Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) standards and display a current Minnesota Department of Public Safety Annual Commercial Vehicle Inspection Certificate pursuant to Minnesota Statute §169.781, Subd. 5.
    
Non school bus equipment shall be subject to inspection and approval by the District Manager of Safety Operations, Traffic Operations Coordinator, and/or Field Trip Coordinator.  Items resulting in rejection of equipment include specific safety or mechanical problems, as well as the overall condition of the vehicle.  Vehicles used on Community Education service may be rejected for non-safety related items such as interior and exterior condition, appearance, and excessive wear and tear.

Coach buses utilized for adult Community Education service shall be subject to the standards and conditions contained in the Community Education Coach Service Specifications distributed to carriers requesting to quote on Community Education coach service trips.  

Lettering,Marking, and Signs
No school bus operating under this contract may transport any Saint Paul Public Schools route, field trip, or Community Education service while displaying any outward markings other than those required in Minnesota Statutes §169.441, MS §169.4503 subd. 13, and/or MS §221.131 Subd. 2a. Prohibited markings include the driver's name, banners, signs, flags, or party decorations. This section does not prohibit a school bus that is transporting non-students on District service, such as participants in Community Education activities, from displaying “CHARTER” or other approved signs as required by law.  Buses transporting Early Childhood and Family Education service under Section II-G of these Specifications may, at the contractor’s discretion, display “ECFE” signs.

Condition of Equipment
Each school bus used for transporting children under contract to Independent School District No. 625 shall comply with all provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Department of Public Safety Rules, applicable sections of the 2005 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures, and these Specifications.  Each school bus shall be free from any structural damage that may lead to or cause injury to a child due to jagged or sharp edges.  Each school bus shall have all operational and safety systems in proper working order and shall be free from any defects which might lead to student injury.  Each school bus shall be clean, both inside and out, and shall reflect a positive image of the contractor and the School District to the public.

Minnesota State School Bus Inspection
Minnesota State School Bus Inspection   Each school bus shall be inspected by the Minnesota State Patrol and shall have a valid State of Minnesota school bus inspection certificate, or temporary inspection certificate, affixed to the lower left windshield, as required by Minnesota Statute §169.451.  A Type III school bus operated under the special written permission of the Director of Transportation shall also comply with this section. 
   
The Contractor shall supply the District Manager of Safety Operations and Traffic Operations Coordinator with the results of the Minnesota State School Bus Inspection Report covering each vehicle under contract to the District.  The District must receive the results within ten (10) days of contractor receipt of the inspection report.

No school bus may be operated under this contract while displaying a rejection sticker affixed to the vehicle by a Commercial Vehicle Inspector or Trooper of the Minnesota State Patrol.

Minnesota Commercial Vehicle Inspection
All road coaches, transit equipment, or other non-school bus type equipment approved by the Transportation Department for the transportation of students and staff on field trips or athletic trips; students, staff, and public on Community Education trips; or staff on administrative trips must carry evidence of an Annual Commercial Vehicle Inspection pursuant to Minnesota Statute §169.781 in the form of an inspection decal as required in MS 169.781 Subd. 5.

Inspection(s) by District
The condition of each school bus, and the safety/emergency equipment on the bus, shall be subject to inspection at all times by School District personnel or by independent mechanical inspectors employed by the District.  Inspections may occur on the road (enroute), at school sites, at the contractor’s terminal, at the District School Bus Garage, or at other locations and times specified by the District.  Buses will be subject to the same inspection criteria as is contained in the Minnesota State School Bus Inspection Manual, plus all additional equipment and requirements contained in these Specifications.

The District Manager of Safety Operations, or Traffic Operations Coordinator, may require a contractor to immediately bring a specific vehicle to the District School Bus Garage for mechanical inspection on any regular school day at a time specified by the District between the hours of 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM, or after 4:30 PM.

Driver Daily Pre-trip Inspection
Driver Daily Pre-trip Inspection Required  Each school bus used for transporting school children for Independent School District No. 625 shall be pre-inspected before each run in conformance with Minnesota Department of Public Safety Rule 7470.1300.  The inspection shall, at a minimum, cover the items contained in the Pre Trip Inspection section of the Minimum School Bus Driver Training Standards contained in these Specifications. 

Any defects or deficiencies that may affect the vehicle's safe operation or the safety of the pupil passengers shall be repaired or corrected before the bus is used for the transportation of children as required by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Record of Daily Pre-trip Inspection
Each required daily pre-trip inspection shall be completed in writing on a printed form, such as the preprinted inspection forms manufactured by J.J. Keller and Associates or a form developed by the contractor, or using an electronic driver vehicle inspection report as outlined in section III-I-465 of the Specifications for Pupil Transportation section of the contract for transportation services.

One copy of the daily pre-trip inspection form must be in the possession of the driver while operating on district service and must be presented when requested by District Transportation Department safety or administrative staff.  One shop or administrative copy of each inspection form must be maintained on file at a location accessible to the District for a minimum period of three years following the end of the term of this contract and shall be subject to inspection by District Safety and/or administrative staff at any time upon request.

Post Trip Reporting of Vehicle Defects
Each contractor shall develop and maintain a policy and a system which requires each driver of a vehicle operating under this contract to report all defects and deficiencies discovered in the course of the operation of the vehicle in writing to the maintenance/repair supervisor on a defect/repair form developed by the contractor.  This form may be included as part of a daily vehicle usage report or driver payroll report form.   This reporting requirement does not relieve any driver of the responsibility to complete the daily pre-trip inspection required under section III-D-80 of the Specifications for Pupil Transportation section of the contract for transportation services.

Vehicle Maintainance
Safety Recalls   
All safety recalls of equipment operated under this contract which are issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the vehicle manufacturer shall be completed as soon as practically possible. The Transportation Department will forward monthly recall notices issued by the Office of Defects Investigations, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  In no event shall a school bus be operated under this contract if it is subject to a safety recall requiring immediate repair or which requires, or recommends, removing the vehicle from service until the recall is completed.

Contractors shall verify annually that they are aware of all recalls concerning equipment operating under this contract by checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration School Bus Safety Assurance Program Recall Listing.  This listing may be obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C. 20590, by calling NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-327-4235, or the School Bus Safety Assurance Program Recall Listing on the NHTSA website at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/schoolbusrecalls.htm.

Vehicle Maintenance Program   
Each contractor must operate a vehicle maintenance program designed to correct any mechanical problem or defect reported by the school bus driver as soon as possible.  This program must include sufficient mechanics, supplies, and shop equipment to service all equipment operated from each terminal servicing this contract, including equipment utilized in other school districts.  Any defect that affects the safe operation of a vehicle must be corrected before transporting students under this contract.

Repair of Critical Safety Systems  
All repairs to the brake, steering, or other critical safety systems on school buses operating under this contract shall be made with parts made by, or approved by, the manufacturer of the chassis or the original equipment manufacturer of the chassis component.

Preventive Maintenance Program    
Each contractor shall conduct a preventive maintenance program covering all vehicles operated under this contract.    This program shall operate throughout the year and shall be structured to maintain equipment in safe and reliable operating condition with major emphasis on preventing failures on the road. 

    As part of this program each contractor shall systematically inspect and maintain all vehicles operating under this contract to ensure that they are in safe and proper operating condition.  All contractors shall follow or exceed the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedules for all maintenance areas including, but not limited to, oil changes, lubrication, coolant additives, belt and hose replacement, component replacement, etc.

Pre-Service and In-service Training for Mechanics and Maintenance Personnel    T
he contractor shall ensure that all mechanics and other maintenance personnel are properly trained and qualified to maintain the equipment utilized under this contract.  The contractor shall also ensure that all mechanics and maintenance personnel have timely knowledge of changes in laws, regulations, equipment specifications, and repair procedures necessary to safely maintain transportation equipment.


Vehicle Service Records   
 Each contractor shall maintain records of each vehicle serviced for mechanical failure, normal maintenance, preventive maintenance, or manufacturer's recall or advisory.  The maintenance records of all vehicles operating under this contract shall be retained for a minimum of three years following the end of the term of this contract and shall be subject to inspection by District safety staff at any time upon request.


 Inspection of Maintenance Records
The contractor shall make the vehicle service records required under section III-D-91 of these Specifications available to District Transportation Department administrative and safety staff at any time and shall supply copies of specific records upon request.

Two-Way Radios and Communications Devices
All vehicles transporting students, whether handicapped or nonhandicapped, to and from school, on field trips, activity trips, or on between buildings programs, must be equipped with working FM or digital two-way radio equipment.  The radio equipment must be turned on and monitored by the driver whenever transporting District students or staff.  The radio system must be adequate to provide effective communication between the contractor's operational office and any route vehicle anywhere within the areas of the School District where the contractor receives route assignments.

The contractor is responsible for the monitoring of radio equipment by the dispatch staff.  There is no excuse for unanswered calls from drivers dealing with emergency situations.

The contractor is responsible for developing standards for radio system etiquette and for enforcing those standards with all staff.  Drivers must keep radio systems clear for important traffic and must monitor the radio and respond when called.

The contractor is responsible for the radio equipment being turned on in the school bus and the volume set at a level that is audible to the driver.   In the event that the contractor is unable to contact a specific route, activity, or between buildings program bus at the District's request, the District will assume that the bus is not equipped with a working FM or digital two-way radio and may apply the nonperformance penalty contained in this Specification.

The contractor shall know the reasonable performance range limitations of the two-way radio system and shall provide a cellular telephone to any driver who is assigned a field, athletic, or Community Education trip that will extend beyond the realistic reliability range of the system.  The provisions of Section III-G-411 concerning use of a cellular telephone apply to cellular phones issued to drivers under this clause.

Failure to comply with this provision will result in a fifty-dollar ($50.00) penalty per occurrence on regular education trips and a seventy-five dollar ($75.00) penalty per occurrence on special education trips.  The District appreciates that two-way radio signals are affected by physical terrain and that radio systems may not be able to contact fixed base stations from certain sections of the School District and will consider system limitations caused by physical terrain in the application of penalties under this section.

Geo Positioning (GPS) and Pre-trip Inspection System
All buses providing service under this contract must be equipped with a geo positioning system that is approved by the District Director of Transportation or Manager of Safety Operations.  The geo positioning system must be equivalent in capability to the geo positioning systems manufactured by Zonar Systems,18200 Cascade Avenue South, Seattle, Washington or AmeriTrak Fleet Solutions, 12978 Haven Road, Little Falls, Minnesota.   All geo positioning systems must be capable of access to GPS data via Internet browser with no more that a 45 second refresh lag time and of customer specified events, such as ignition on or off, braking, activation of the eight-light system, opening of entrance door, etc.   A Geo Positioning System may be combined with an electronic pre-trip inspection system meeting the requirements of Section III-J-465 of these Specifications.   Failure to comply with this section shall result in the application of the penalty for nonconforming equipment specified in Section III-D-97 of these Specifications.

Lighted Stop Arm
All vehicles transporting students to or from school must be equipped with a lighted stop arm meeting Minnesota Specifications. The stop arm may be equipped with incandescent lights, strobe lights, or with the word “STOP” in Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). A dual blade system meeting Minnesota standards may be utilized on District service.

Student Crossing Gate
All Type A, B, C, and D school buses providing service under this contract shall be equipped with a student crossing control arm (gate) which meets the technical and performance specifications of the Safety Guard® student crossing arm manufactured by Specialty Manufacturing Company or the Safety Cross® crossing control arm manufactured by Transpec, Inc.  The arm shall be mounted to the bumper of the school bus, constructed of noncorrosive or nonferrous material or shall be treated in conformance with the school bus sheet metal standards contained in the 2005 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures.  The arm shall be controlled through the eight-light system and may be electrically, vacuum, or air operated.  All components of the crossing control arm shall be weatherproof.  The crossing gate must be maintained in good working condition and shall be operative whenever the school bus is performing route service. 

Contractors wishing to use an arm other than the Specialty Manufacturing Safety Guard® or the Transpec Safety Cross® must receive written approval of the crossing control arm from the Director of Transportation, Manager of Safety Operations, or Traffic Operations Coordinator.

Any contractor who is found operating a Type A, B, C, or D school bus on a route under this contract which does not conform to the student crossing gate requirements of this section shall be fined a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day per vehicle not in compliance.

Sleeping Child Check System
Child Check System  Each school bus operating under this contract shall be equipped with a automatic system which requires the school bus driver to go to the rear of the school bus and perform a physical action at, or near, the rear emergency door/window prior to leaving the school bus.  The system shall be at least the operational equivalent of the Child Reminder System manufactured by CRS Electronics or the Child Check-Mate System manufactured by Child Check-Mate Systems, Inc., and shall contain the following requirements:

  1. System shall sound an alarm horn if not deactivated as outlined in item No. 4 within a timed period.
  2. System shall be activated by the eight-light system or the application of the brake system.
  3.  System shall not be capable of being bypassed by the driver.
  4. System shall use the rear emergency door handle or a push switch located by the rear emergency door as the means of deactivation.     
  5. System shall not be capable of being disarmed until the ignition switch has been turned off.
  6. There shall be a visible indicator on, or in, the dashboard to remind the driver to check the bus for sleeping students.
  7. System shall turn on the interior lights upon activation.
  8. The time limit to check the bus before activation of the alarm system shall be adjustable relative to the capacity of the bus.
  9. System shall monitor all exits and shall not be capable of being bypassed by a key, dashboard area switch, having a student raise the handle or push a button, or by walking around the outside of the school bus and opening the rear door.
  10. System shall be certified to work in extreme cold weather conditions.

Installation of a system other than the Child Reminder System manufactured by CRS Electronics or the Child Check-Mate System manufactured by Child Check-Mate Systems, Inc., shall require the written approval of the Director of Transportation or Manager of Safety Operations.

The child check system shall not replace the driver check system utilizing the EMPTY sign required under section III-G-365 of these Specifications.

In the event of an incident where a child is left unattended on a bus due to the contractors failure to install or to maintain the child check system required in this section, the contractor shall be deemed to be in violation of this contract, shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500.00), and the affected route shall be reassigned to another vendor with available equipment of the size and/or type required to service the route.  In the event that the reassignment of the route results in increased costs to the District, the contractor shall be required to reimburse the District for the difference between the original contract (bid) cost and the cost of the reassigned service.

Interior and Exterior Public Address Systems
All vehicles transporting students under this contract shall be equipped with working interior and exterior Public Address (PA) systems, with at least two (2) interior and one (1) exterior speaker, that are at least equivalent to the technical and operational specifications of Midwest Electronic Industries, Inc. MobilPage® Model 442-E.

    The PA system must be turned on during all route operations and the speaker selector switch must normally be set to the outside speaker.  The microphone must be mounted in a location that is easily and rapidly accessible to the driver.  Failure of the successful bidder to have the required PA system in each bus performing District service shall result in the penalty specified under section III-D-97 of these Specifications retroactive to the first day of the school year.

Video Student Monitoring Systems
8mm Camera Based System    Video Student Monitoring Systems   Except as noted below in Section III-D-123 of these Specifications, each school bus operated on District route service must be equipped with an in-bus video monitoring system.  This system shall consist of a mounting box capable of holding a concealed 8mm Video Camera, a wiring harness to connect the box and camera to the 12-volt electrical system of the school bus, and a one-way mirror and/or dummy camera lens.  The District shall provide mounting boxes and wiring harnesses to the contractor as long as these parts are available from the manufacturer.

The system must be equipped with a locking cover and be designed so that the passengers cannot determine if a camera is present in the box.  The system must be maintained in good working order at all times.

The District will provide each contractor Canon and/or Sony video cameras that are compatible with the Silent Witness® Video System and which have been modified for "instant on" operation as long as these cameras are available.  Each contractor will also be provided with a quantity of 8mm video tapes.   

All video mounting boxes, video cameras, VCRs, and tapes which are issued to contractors, or which have been issued to contractors in prior years, remain the property of Independent School District No. 625 and must be returned to the District upon demand.  The contractor shall be responsible for the repair or replacement cost of any camera deemed by the Manager of Safety Operations to have been damaged by intentional acts of contractor employees.


Digital Video Systems   In addition to the requirements of Section III-D-122 of these Specifications, ten percent (10%) of the buses assigned to Saint Paul Public Schools route service must be equipped with a digital video system that is at least the equivalent of the Radio Engineering Industries, Inc. Digital Bus-Watch DVR. The buses are to be used in addition to the Silent Witness Video Systems under Section III-D-122 of these Specifications.  Successful bidders must indicate which buses are equipped with digital camera systems on Exhibit “A” of these Specifications.

    The digital camera systems must at a minimum:
  1. Be constructed of durable industrial grade components
  2. Record both video and audio
  3. Record a minimum of seven hours of video
  4. Be equipped with at least two cameras inside the school bus
  5. Be capable of recording from multiple cameras without reduced recording quality or time
  6. Be activated by the school bus ignition switch, not a driver controlled switch
  7. Be designed for high vibration school bus use
  8. Be certified for operation in extreme cold weather conditions
  9. Record in a manner that is exportable using standard media, including DVD or flash drive.
  10. Record in a format that is compatible with, or convertible to, standard viewing equipment including DVD players.
A camcorder mounted in a bus or installed in a camera box does not meet the requirements of this section and will not be considered to be a digital camera system for contract compliance and nonperformance purposes. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Section will result in the penalty specified Section III-D-97 of these Specifications.

Wheelchair Lifts
Wheelchair Lifts    The make and model of all wheelchair lifts utilized on Saint Paul Public Schools routes and field trips is subject to approval by the District Transportation Department.  The make and model of all lift equipment shall be shown along with the vehicle unit number on Exhibit "B".
   
Lift equipment may be excluded from use on District routes, field trips, athletic trips, and between buildings programs due to such factors as the design features of the lift or the operational history (problems and/or failures) of the lift model.

All power lifts shall be installed on the right side of the school bus.  All new Type C and D lift buses ordered after June 1, 2006, shall be equipped with a lift that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 403 for a Public Use wheelchair lift and shall bear a label affixed by the lift manufacturer with the words “DOT-Public Use Lift” certifying compliance with the requirements of §49CFR571.403 and in compliance with §49CFR571.403S6(b)(2).

All lifts transporting students, staff, or public under this contract shall meet the following minimum requirements:
  1. Power – Electro-Hydraulic
  2. Equipped with a vehicle transmission and/or brake system interlock meeting Federal Regulations to stop all vehicle movement unless lift platform is stowed and secured.
  3. All control switches shall be positioned together and shall be located in a location that provides the lift operator with a direct, clear, and unobstructed view of the platform lift wheelchair and occupant.
  4. Rated Load Capacity – 800 pounds minimum
  5. Usable Platform Width – 32 inches minimum
  6. Usable Platform Length – 51 inches minimum
  7. Edge Guards that extend continuously along each side of the lift platform to within 3 inches of the edges of the platform that are traversed while entering or exiting the platform at both the ground and vehicle floor loading positions.
  8. Clear Wheelchair Entry Width – 33 inches minimum
  9. Automatic inboard (inner) roll stop
  10. Automatic powered or mechanical outboard roll stop
  11. Side/hand rails
  12. Hand held control unit
It is desirable that the lift and lift access door be located forward of the rear axle of the school bus.  Under no circumstances shall a ramp be used in lieu of a power lift.

All lifts shall be equipped with controls that allow the driver to activate and control the lift mechanism while outside of the bus.  All electrical controls shall utilize momentary contact switches that require continuous manual pressure by the operator. 

The lift controls shall allow the lift to be stopped in any position by releasing the manual pressure switch and shall allow reversal of the lift platform for height adjustment. The lift shall be designed to deploy to all levels, e.g., ground, curb, and intermediate positions, normally encountered in special education transportation operations.

All wheelchair lifts shall incorporate an emergency manual backup method that can, in the event of a loss of the primary power source for lift operation or a lift malfunction, deploy the lift platform, lower the loaded platform to the ground level loading position, raise the unloaded platform to the vehicle floor loading position, and stow the lift platform in the parked position.  The inner roll stop and outboard roll stop must be operational in the manual mode.  No emergency manual method shall be capable of being operated in a manner that could be hazardous to the lift occupant or lift operator when operated according to the manufacturer’s printed operating instructions.

All lifts shall be designed to prevent deploying, falling, or folding at any rate faster than 12” per second or dropping of a wheelchair occupant in the event of a failure of the wheelchair lift.  All lift platforms shall be equipped with an automatic barrier to prevent any of the wheels of a wheelchair from rolling off of the outer edge of the lift platform while the lift is in motion or in the up position.  A moveable barrier, or inherent design feature, shall prevent a wheelchair from rolling off the edge closest to the vehicle when the lift is in motion.

Operation of Wheelchair Lifts
Operation of Wheelchair Lifts The school bus driver is the only person authorized to open, secure, and close lift access doors, load wheelchairs onto and off of the power lift, and to operate the wheelchair lift.  Under no circumstances may an assistant, parent, student, school staff, or other person be authorized to operate a wheelchair lift on a vehicle performing service for the District.

    Prior to raising or lowering an occupied wheelchair, the driver must ensure that:
  1. The entire lift platform is positioned at ground level and the outer barrier fully unfolded before loading or unloading a wheelchair at ground level.
  2. The entire lift platform is positioned at floor level and the bridge plate extended before loading or unloading a wheelchair at bus floor level.
  3. The wheelchair is positioned correctly on the lift and within the yellow boundaries of a Public Use lift.
  4. The wheelchair brakes must be locked.
  5. The power switch of an electrically powered wheelchair must be in the “Off” position or the drive belt disengaged.
  6. The inner roll stop and the outer barrier must be up to stop movement off the lift platform.
  7. The outer barrier latch on a Public Use lift must be fully engaged.
  8. The occupant restraint belt must be properly positioned and secured, i.e. latched, if so equipped.
The driver must remain by the lift platform, observe lift occupants at all times while the lift is in motion, and ensure that the occupant of the lift keeps hands, arms, and all other body parts within the lift occupant area and clear of all moving parts.

Modification of Wheelchair Lifts
All safety features and safety interlock devices, which are built into wheelchair lifts by the manufacturer, must remain intact and in operable condition while on District service.  Utilization of a wheelchair lift with a safety interlock device disconnected, or defeated, shall be regarded as a serious safety violation of these Specifications.

Wheelchair Securement Devices
Wheelchair Securement Devices    All wheelchair securement devices utilized for the transportation of students who utilize wheelchairs on routes and/or field trips must meet the requirements contained in Chapter 299A, Minnesota Statutes, and must be approved by both the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Saint Paul Schools Transportation Department.

All securement devices shall be seven point webbing type such as that manufactured by Sure-Lock®, Aeroquip®/Kinedyne®, Inc. or Q-Straint®, Inc. unless otherwise approved.  The make and model of all securement devices must be shown on "Exhibit B".  The placement of the securement devices and the wheelchairs within the vehicle is subject to approval by the District Transportation Department.

Wheelchair securement systems must be installed, maintained, and utilized in accordance with the securement system manufacturer's recommended procedures.   Failure of a driver to utilize seven point attachment, or to utilize the system in accordance with the securement system manufacturer's recommended attachment procedures, may result in the suspension of the driver from further service within the District.

All securement and restraint system components, including the system track, floor plates, pockets, locking assemblies, securement straps, or other anchorages and/or anchorage components in a specific vehicle shall be provided by the same manufacturer as a compatible system, or shall be certified as compatible by manufacturers of all components of the systems used.  Track installation must be capable of securing a large electric wheelchair meeting the WC19 Standard and of the largest size that can be raised on the “DOT-Public Use Lift” required under Section III-D-128 of these Specifications.

A device for storage of the securement and restraint system shall be provided for clean storage of the system when not in use.