Blaine school bus fleet earns an A plus

By Christine Callan

Blaine school district’s school bus operation has been selected as one of America’s Great Fleets.’

“I’m honored,” said Carl Wagelie, transportation manager of Blaine school bus operation. “In the seven years I have been here, there have been 14 inspections. They have found no buses to be out of service.”

The fleet was profiled in School Bus Fleet’s October 2001 issue, which featured great fleets across America, a special report on 50 extraordinary school bus fleets. One fleet was chosen for every state based on their excellence in safety, efficiency, maintenance, driver training, staff morale and innovation.

The Washington state patrol inspects the buses two times a year, one of which is a surprise inspection. Wagelie takes care of 35 vehicles, 20 of which are buses. He gives much of the credit to the excellent bus drivers who take good care of the buses.

“Providing safe, efficient school transportation is a tremendous accomplishment given the budget constraints and driver shortages that face most school transportation operations,” said Steve Hirano, editor of School Bus Fleet. “These ‘Great Fleets’ merit special recognition for their achievements above and beyond the norm.”

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