School Bus Specifications - Texas Department of Public Safety

BUSES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (continued)As defined by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49 § 571.3, "Bus means a motorvehicle with motor power, except a trailer, designed for carrying more than ten persons"(eleven or more including the driver). This definition also embraces the more specificcategory, school bus. Vehicles with 10 or fewer passenger positions (excluding thedriver) cannot be classified as buses. Manufacturers must use the federal vehicleclassification of multipurpose passenger vehicle (CFR 49 § 571.3, or MPV) in lieu of theschool bus classification. This classification system does not preclude state or localagencies or the national specifications from requiring compliance of school bus-typeMPVs with the more stringent federal or state standards for school buses. If by additionof a power lift, mobile seating device positions or other modifications, the capacity isreduced such that vehicles become MPVs, the intent of these specifications is to requirethese vehicles to meet the same specifications they would have had to meet prior tosuch modifications, and such MPVs are included in all references to school buses andrequirements for school buses which follow.For Vehicle Class Only: In determining the passenger capacity of a school bus forpurposes other than actual passenger load (e.g., vehicle classification or variousbilling/reimbursement models), any location in a school bus intended for securement ofan occupied wheelchair/mobility aid during vehicle operations is regarded as fourdesignated seating positions. Similarly, each lift area may be regarded as fourdesignated seating positions.EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONAny parts or components not specifically mentioned below, but which are required toprovide a complete operating unit, or which are standard for the model offered, shall beincluded.Body and chassis manufacturers shall be responsible for installation/modification of allequipment and ensure equipment conforms in strength, quality, and workmanship toaccepted standards of the industry, State Specifications, and Federal Motor VehicleSafety Standards of all equipment installed when the bus leaves their facility. Thedistributor/dealer shall be responsible for installation/modification of all equipment andensure equipment conforms in strength, quality, and workmanship to acceptedstandards of the industry and State Specifications and Federal Motor Vehicle SafetyStandards of all equipment added by the distributor/dealer.NEW MODELSEach bus body and bus chassis furnished under this specification shall be new schoolbuses of the current model year’s production or the latest improved model in currentproduction. The bidder represents that all units offered under this specification shallmeet or exceed the minimum requirements specified herein.If bidding other than current model year’s production or the latest improved model incurrent production, the vendor must provide in writing with the bid and state in the biddocument, that at the date of manufacture the bus met all state and federalspecifications.Section A-5