Interpretation ID: nht92-6.20

DATE: June 2, 1992

FROM: John Tanner -- U.S. House of Representatives

TO: John A. Cline -- Director, U.S. DOT, Congressional Liaison

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 6/29/92 from Frederick H. Grubbe to John Tanner (A39; Part 571.3)

TEXT:

Enclosed are copies of letters I received from school systems in Tennessee who are opposed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's regulations against the use of 11-plus passenger vans to transport students. Our office has been in contact with Dr. Ernest Farmer, Director of Pupil Transportation at the Tennessee Department of Education about this matter.

It is my understanding that Dr. Farmer sent memos to our school systems in 1977 and 1990 about the NHTSA regulations. I respectfully request that you review their concerns and give to them your utmost consideration. Any information on the possibility of amending these regulations would be helpful so that I may respond to these constituents. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Attachments

Letters from:

Johnny Williams, Principal, North Side Junior High School, Jackson, Tennessee Sam Miles, Principal, Peabody High School, Trenton, Tennessee Jackie Vaughan, Principal, Greenfield High School, Greenfield, Tennessee Farris Lowery, Huntingdon High School, Huntingdon, Tennessee Chuck West, Principal, Dresden High School, Dresden, Tennessee Mr. Ward, Principal, Crockett County High School, Alamo, Tennessee

Text of the form letter:

Dear Legislator:

Recently throughout our state much concern has mounted in regard to recent memos from Mr. Ernest Farmer, Director of Pupil Transportation, Tennessee State Department of Education. These memos have directed attention to an early 1970's federal law pertaining to use of vehicles with a capacity of eleven (11) or greater.

Over the years, many schools throughout the state have made use of 12 and 15 passenger vans to transport athletic teams and other school groups to and from school related event. These vans are NOT used for "pick-up" and "drops" on public roadways. Now, many systems have either had to park their vans or they are under a deadline to do so. This action already has or will create a tremendous financial burden on schools already strapped with financial hardships due to budget cuts. We fear the ultimate result will be the elimination of certain athletic teams and other school functions simply due to

the enormous expense involved in renting buses on a daily basis. Also, another tremendous problem is that of finding buses available at the time of day needed.

We desperately need your help in seeing that this law is amended or changed in order to permit the use of these vehicles. To insure that vans are maintained in a safe condition, they can be required to have the same inspection as that imposed on regular school buses.

We have real problems with a law that states we can legally use a van equipped to transport 10 passengers but we cannot use a van equipped to transport 11, 12 or 15 passengers. We do not understand the rationale in allowing a van to transport 10 passengers, but not 11, 12 or 15. We appreciate your concern in this matter and desperately need your support.