Bryan ISD prepares for school bus seat belt mandate, submits funding report

Meeting highlights

Bryan ISD Director of Transportation Bryant Washington said the district is currently working with:

• 121 buses in service
• 49 buses without three-point seat belts
  • 13 buses with lapbelts
  • 26 without seatbelts
• 19 buses older than 15 years old

The breakdown

The transportation department estimates:

• $4.8 million to buy 39 new buses over the next three years
• $900,000 to retrofit 30 existing buses

College Station ISD approved a plan to retrofit 19 of its buses at a March 17 meeting.

Funding the project

Bryan ISD will submit its report and cost estimates to the state in hopes of receiving financial assistance.

Much of the work could be funded through the district’s 2025 bond, which includes $12.8 million for safety and security improvements, including buses and district vehicles.

What’s next

The board passed the item along to be submitted to the state. Harlin-Wolf and fellow trustees continued to discuss the day-to-day aspects of the seatbelts, such as how younger students may need help getting in and out of their seats as the new requirement is implemented.

Merrell noted that bus ridership continues to increase, making compliance with the mandate a growing priority.