SPRINGFIELD TWP. (WTOL) - Springfield Schools are already gearing up for the expected cold temperatures next week.
On Friday afternoon, inspectors were at the bus garage making sure the buses were ready to brave the cold.
The inspections happen twice a year. But the cold temperatures pose a big challenge for districts when it comes to getting the buses to start early in the morning.
Springfield says it hooks its buses up to block heaters that help the engine get going.
“During the winter season we always have our buses on what we call block heaters. So in the mornings when the drivers come in it’s easier to start,” said Springfield School Transportation Director Ron Smith.
Springfield said they have yet to have any problems this year with getting their buses to start in the morning because of the mechanisms they’re using.
“Not this year, the last couple years, but occasionally we’ll have a bus that won’t start; just the batteries may go out or some of them are just older buses and they have a tough time starting,” said Smith.
Other districts like Sylvania use a different type of “winter blend” bus fuel in the winter.
This type of ‘gel-like’ fuel does not freeze. Additionally, they have automatic starters connected to computers that warm the buses up several hours before school starts.
Superintendent Dr. Adam Fineske says the district works extra hard to ensure buses start every morning.