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Cold Weather Poses Problems For School Buses

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Feb 2, 2007 6:50 pm US/Eastern

Cold Weather Poses Problems For School Buses

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The upcoming cold snap will probably create major problems for school buses.

Generally, the lower the temperature drops, the less reliable the vehicles become.

However, KDKA Traffic and Transportation Reporter Jim Lokay reports bus companies do have a plan for Monday morning when temperatures near zero are forecast.

In cold weather, most buses will be taken inside to make sure they are ready for their normal rounds.

"Come winter, we bring them in," said Jim Kester of B.W. Transportation. "We make sure we have as much as we can inside because of the cold weather."

The cold temperatures also pose big problems because of the diesel fuel that runs the buses.

"It has what they call "gelling," said Kester. "It used to be when we had the old style fuel, we're at the ultra low sulfur diesel, they used to treat it with kerosene to cut it so it wouldn't gel up. And there are different chemicals you can use."

Other bus companies utilize an engine block heater.

As for a magic number on what temperature might trigger a school delay, Lokay reports 0 degrees usually does the trick.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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