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By SARAH SCHUMACHER/Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

The School District of Oconee County added two new activity buses to its fleet for the fall. The 65-passenger buses are handicapped capable with rear wheelchair lifts and Surelock System locking mechanisms that keep the wheelchairs in place once inside.

The School District of Oconee County is rolling in two new activity buses for fall that are safer and handicapped capable.

The school district’s buses, which generally run on a 15-year replacement cycle, were scheduled for some changeups this year. The new activity buses are coming with a huge modification; they are fully handicapped capable.

The buses feature two spaces for wheelchairs as well as lifts on the back of each bus to safely get child and wheelchair into the vehicle. Once inside, the wheelchairs are locked into place using the Surelock System, in which each bus driver has been trained. There are also shoulder harnesses in place that act as seatbelts to give the children in wheelchairs further protection.

The 65-passenger buses encompass many uses including taking children to and from field trips, sporting events and other school related activities.

Kay Powell, Director of School and Community Relations, said the buses could be used in any capacity for transporting the children to and from school functions.

“The buses are much safer now because they are handicapped capable, they have seat belts and all the buses have air brakes instead of hydraulic brakes,” Powell said.

According to Transportation Director Sammy Grant, the state does not pay for activity buses, which cost $99,000 apiece. The district sets aside money in the budget for them.

“This year I requested special needs activity buses because we only have one in the district,” Grant said. “We had a big need with all of the schools because sometimes the one bus would be needed by more than one school. When we were working on our budget, I requested the need for two special needs buses for the county.”

Grant said the district was very helpful in getting the much-needed buses.

“I am very appreciative of the new buses that we have received and very excited about the updating of our fleet,” Grant said. “I am also extremely appreciative of the new activity bus purchases.”

The activity buses are not the only additions to the fleet; the school district is also adding eight new state buses to be divided evenly between Seneca, Tamassee, Walhalla and West-Oak, as well as one special needs bus.