Previous Story
PSS submits grant request for buses
|
Posted on Jul 20 2004
Citing the need for more buses, the Public School System recently submitted its application for the Federal Transit Grant in hopes of procuring funds to assist with student transportation, according to associate commissioner for administration David M. Borja.
Borja disclosed yesterday that, if granted, the PSS hopes to receive between $600,000-$700,000, which would be used to add three regular buses and, depending on the amount granted, 20-22 minivans.
He said the application was submitted sometime in the last two weeks of June.
“We hope to hear something soon,” he said.
Borja said the grant won’t be available in time for this school year, and instead, if approved, will be used for school year 2005-2006.
“We always need more,” he said. “Our hope is to get three new ones, which will replace three of the old buses. The replaced buses then will be used for back up.”
Borja added that the minivans are necessary to transport small groups of students.
“Sometimes we have schools transporting just one or two students, and those minivans will be used for those reasons,” he said.
PSS will begin service to over 10,000 students this school year with a fleet of 12 regular buses for Saipan and two each for Tinian and Rota. Borja reiterated the need to replace the vehicles, citing their age as factors.
“These buses are between six to eight years old, and we need to replace them,” he said.
Borja said that through the same grant, PSS managed to add four new SPED buses to the Saipan fleet, and one apiece to Tinian and Rota for this school year. The buses arrived the first week of this month. The addition leaves Saipan with six SPED buses and Tinian and Rota two apiece.
“The two old SPED buses on Saipan are now used for back-up or reserve, while the additional buses to Tinian and Rota will help now that each will have two SPED buses,” he said.
