(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education members went for a ride prior to their regular monthly meeting Monday night.

Board members and administrators went for a ride in a 2007 Van Hool Coach Bus. The bus is made in Belgium.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively says the Board has been discussing purchasing a coach-type bus versus another transit activity bus for the last couple of years. In the near future, one of the districts transit activity buses will need to be replaced and Heckenlively says the Board wants to explore their options.

To compete in a variety of athletic, music and other competitions against schools similar in size as Falls City Public, the distance seems to be increasing. In the past two years alone, buses have transported students to Kearney, Norfolk and Grand Island for events and field trips to Lincoln and Omaha are common.   

Heckenlively says Transportation Director Rob Baker assures him there would be plenty of uses for a coach-type bus. In addition to anticipated almost daily use, the coach-type bus has more seating capacity and at times would allow the district to use one bus and one bus driver instead of two buses and drivers.

In comparing a coach-type bus to an activity bus, there are some major advantages. The chassis life expectancy on the coach is 2-million miles compared to 250,000 miles on the transit bus. Service intervals while estimated at $300 higher, would be every 15-30,000 miles versus 6-8,000 miles.  The transmission is estimated to be good for 600-800 thousand miles vs. 150-200,000 miles and the motor should be good for 800 – 1,000,000 miles vs. 200-250,000 miles.

Current estimates are a new transit-type bus to cost $135,000. The 2007 Van Hool Coach bus under consideration comes with a price tag of $178,000. The comparison estimates the life of a used motor coach with 450,000 miles, running 25,000 miles per year, running to 1-million miles, would last 22 years. A new transit bus, estimated to run to 250,000 miles would last an estimated 10 years.

The coach bus also includes a restroom for longer trips and more comfort for resting on late-night rides home. The coach also has an HVAC system and 110-volt outlets at every seat allowing students to use their laptop for homework.

Safety is another key element with the passengers on the coach sitting above the crash zone in a side impact.

The motor coach is going to be on display Tuesday at the Falls City Middle School north parking lot from around 8:30 a-m until about 5 p-m and may be held over until Wednesday. 

Superintendent Heckenlively says it is important to hear form District 56 patrons what they think about purchasing a coach-type bus in the near future. The Board and administrators want to do what the bus drivers, patrons and students support. They are asking for your input.