Aldine ISD busses lined up and raring to go!

Aldine ISD’s transportation department spent the summer preparing for the new school year. The district’s fleet of 619 buses are ready to roll for the first day of school. Aldine ISD’s fleet remains one of the three largest in the state of Texas, according to John Wilson, executive director of transportation. To meet the transportation needs of the district, the transportation department purchased two new 47 passenger wheel chair buses, 25 new 47 passenger buses and 30 new 71 passenger buses during the summer. Wilson said the new buses were purchased to deal with growth in the district and to upgrade its fleet.

Transportation officials remind motorists to use extreme caution when driving near a school bus or bus stop. Nearly 50 percent of the children killed in school bus related accidents die because motorists fail to stop for the flashing red lights which signal that a bus is loading or unloading.

Bus drivers warn motorists when buses are about to stop by flashing their yellow caution lights. Once the bus comes to a complete stop, a switch on the door activates the red flashing lights. At that point, motorists in ALL directions are to stop at least 20 feet from the bus. At this critical time, students may cross in front of the bus.

Motorists should also be aware that all of Aldine ISD’s 28 police officers will be out in full force to ensure that a child’s trip to and from school is as safe as possible.