The tragic accident in Hyde Park that claimed the life of a 5-year-old boy has reignited conversations about the safety of school buses in Boston.
In the United States, the overwhelming majority of school buses are classified as type C buses, the conventional design that many children are familiar with.
According to the World Resources Institute, approximately 67 percent of school buses fall into this category.
However, alternatives exist.
Dr. Gerry Missal, a former municipal official in Belmont, proposed that Boston could enhance safety by contracting for transit-style school buses, which feature a flat front.
This design potentially increases visibility for children crossing in front of the bus.
Research into bid specifications for various Massachusetts municipalities reveals that some, such as Amesbury, Lowell, and Wellesley, do include flat-front buses, known as type D buses, in their service contracts.
Interestingly, type D buses make up roughly 18 percent of the known bus designs used in the country and are more common in states like California.
However, Massachusetts lacks comprehensive data on school bus types, leaving the national statistics incomplete.
Debates around bus design are not new in Massachusetts.
For example, in 2015, officials in Acushnet justified cuts to bus monitors by emphasizing the added safety of transitioning to flat-front buses.
While it remains uncertain whether a flat-front bus could have altered the course of the unfortunate incident in Hyde Park, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with such vehicles.
A report from MassDOT indicates that flat-front buses typically cost around $25,000 more each than their type C counterparts.
It’s important to clarify that type C buses, which dominate school bus fleets, are safe vehicles.
The debate over whether to adopt flat-front buses in Boston continues.
According to a district official, the city constantly evaluates its fleet, but logistical needs have generally shifted towards smaller vehicles that better accommodate door-to-door transportation.
As a result, the district has increasingly opted for smaller buses, finding that large transit-style buses face challenges navigating the city’s narrow streets.
Opinions vary on the appropriateness of the city’s decisions regarding bus designs and safety measures.
Those with expertise in school transportation are encouraged to share their insights for further discussion.
This ongoing conversation reflects broader concerns about transportation safety in urban environments and the potential need for innovation in bus design to protect the most vulnerable road users: children.
As the city reflects on its choices, the hope remains that future designs will prioritize visibility and safety to prevent further tragedies like the one in Hyde Park.
image source from：bostonglobe
