Montgomery County Public School transportation officials have completed a review of bus safety and repair records and determined that a national warning concerning certain anti-lock braking devices and wiring will not sideline any of the school system's 1,100 buses. The bus fleet will be ready to operate on schedule for the opening of school on Tuesday, September 5.

The national warning did not recommend that buses be taken out of service. However, in an abundance of caution, each of the school system's buses with the anti-lock brakes will undergo a final test and inspection tomorrow [Monday, September 4] in preparation for the first day of school on Tuesday. Every bus purchased prior to this summer had previously undergone the annual state-mandated preventive maintenance inspection and repair procedures, which required physical review of the entire braking system including the anti-lock braking components cited in the warning last week.

The brake system manufacturer, Bendix Commercial Vehicle, and the bus manufacturers, including Thomas Built Buses, have only asked that the anti-lock systems be inspected and replaced when the parts are available later this fall. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has approved the procedure.

During the weekend, school system transportation staff consulted with other area transportation specialists and manufacturer representatives and reviewed inspection records and other information about the warning to determine if there would any effect on the county's vehicles. Staff concluded the bus fleet is safe to operate.

This past Friday evening the school system learned from the news media that a national bus manufacturer had issued a warning about certain braking equipment, primarily the anti-lock braking system. The school system has not yet received official notification of the warning.