School bus shortage at PSS

Students in public schools are being forced to wait longer for the school bus these days due to a severe shortage of buses at the Public School System.

PSS has a total of 11 school buses but only nine are currently operational, serving 15 public schools on Saipan, which excludes special schools. The two other buses are undergoing maintenance.

Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services David M. Borja confirmed the shortage, adding that Tinian and Rota are also affected by this problem.

“Yes. We do have a problem with the number of the buses.” Borja said. “For those who ride the bus, we know that it is a difficult situation.”

He said that PSS has already issued a memorandum to all school principals about the matter, informing them that the shortage could affect the schedules of the pick up and drop off time of the students.

Borja is advising parents to drive their children to schools to prevent them from being late or to pick them up after classes end.

PSS had 20 buses in 1994. This went down to 13 after some buses broke down and were not replaced.

“When I took over, PSS had 13 buses but this school year there are only 11 school buses,” he said.

The remaining two buses are down and need to be repaired but he said they cannot address this because of lack of funds. “The buses need to be repaired. Without appropriate funding this cannot be addressed,” he said.

There is a pending procurement for three additional 66-person capacity buses and 14 passenger vans but Borja said that this is still in the works and is being delayed due to unresolved protests.

“We are waiting for an official notice from the business office,” said Borja.

Vendors who participate in the bidding process for the buses must have the appropriate license to sell an already assembled vehicle, not just parts of the vehicle. There was a previous bidding for buses but it came under protest after one vendor pointed out that the shortlisted bidder did not have the proper license.

Borja said that PSS is being careful not to commit the same mistake and violate its own business policies or regulations but he expressed hope that PSS will make a final decision by the end of the month. He said that once everything is in place, PSS will resume the bidding process.

The acquisition of the buses and vans are federally funded. (Marconi Calindas)