Drivers sought extensions, replacements of vehicles nearing end-of-life service

By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Jan. 28, 2021) The Worcester County Board of Education approved requests from bus contractors to extend the use of their buses to transport students beyond 12 years and agreed to requests from bus contractors to purchase replacement buses for the 2021-22 school year during its meeting on Jan. 19.

A & B Lewis LLC, M & N Donoway LLC, Teresa Adams and Harry Wimbrow requested a three-year extension, while Robert Reed and William Holden requested a two-year extension.

Wesley Townsend, who transports students in the northern Worcester County area, requested only a one-year extension.

“They have to do everything the other buses have to do with the exception they have an additional inspection in January,” said Kim Heiser, manager of transportation for the county school system.

With the approval of the school board, a bus contractor may operate a new bus, a bus less than five years old or a Worcester County school bus less than 14 years old for an assigned daily or regular route.

A new bus or a used bus less than 14 years old may be put in service as a spare bus with the board’s approval.

Six contractors sought approval from the school board to replace buses that will be going out of service this year.

Kenneth Rantz, a bus contractor from the Pocomoke area, currently operates a 2007 spare bus. The last day of service for the bus is Aug. 23. Rantz sought to purchase a used replacement bus.

Jason Donoway, a bus contractor serving Snow Hill area Cedar Chapel students, currently operates a 2007 handicap-accessible bus.  The last day of service for the bus is Sept. 1. He requested permission to purchase a new handicap accessible bus.

Keith Downs, a bus contractor from the northern county area, operates a 2006 regular run bus, which has a last day of operation on Sept. 1. Downs requested permission to purchase a new bus.

Susan Hutchinson, a bus contractor from the northern county area, operates a 2007 spare bus, which has a last day of operation on Sept. 1. She requested permission to purchase a used replacement bus.

Eugene MaGee, a bus contractor from the northern county area, currently operates a 2009 spare bus, and he requested to purchase a new bus.

It is his intention to use his current bus as a spare bus and use the new bus as his regular run bus, Heiser said.

Lastly, Ruby Baker, a bus contractor from the northern county area, operates a 2011 regular run bus, and she sought to purchase a new bus.