Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board declines immediate retrofit for five buses, plans phased replacements to meet SB 546 by 2029
Summary
Director of transportation Brian Gibson reported Brenham ISD has 45 buses (40 already with three-point belts, five not) and retrofit quotes near $39,806 per bus; trustees determined immediate retrofit is not fiscally feasible and approved a phase-out/replacement plan to reach 100% compliance by Sept. 1, 2029.
Director of transportation Brian Gibson briefed trustees on SB 546, the state requirement to equip school buses with three-point seat belts by Sept. 1, 2029. He said Brenham ISD’s fleet includes 45 buses, “40 of those currently already have 3 point seat belts. 5 of those do not,” and that vendor retrofit quotes are approximately $39,806.02 per bus, with a retrofit total for the five buses near $199,000.
Gibson recommended the district phase out non‑retrofittable spares and replace older buses over time rather than immediately retrofitting, noting some older buses are not structurally retrofittable. After discussion about lifecycle, leasing and fleet rotation, a trustee moved that immediate retrofit is not financially feasible and that the district will phase out the remaining five noncompliant buses to achieve 100% compliance by 09/01/2029; the board approved that motion.
