By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — As part of the April 2024 bond proposal passing, the Lincoln Parish School Board has purchased nine activity buses that will be used by all schools in the district for field trips, athletics and club events.
Seven of the buses are wrapped in Ruston High colors and logos, while the other two are wrapped in Choudrant High and Simsboro School colors and logos.
“This is a great opportunity for our kids to travel safely,” Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Ricky Durrett said. “And in the long run, this will help us with maintenance and longevity because this will be primarily road miles on these activity buses. They’ll last much longer than our route buses, and when we buy a new one, it will immediately go on a route rather than be an activity bus, meaning there are problems, the warranty will still be in place. All of that will help us.
“And I think there is a sense of pride for our communities in us being able to wrap them. It’s great for activities, athletics, bands, our clubs — all these kids and staff that travel, it will be a little bit nicer for them. All of our schools will be able to use these buses from elementary schools to high schools.”
Lincoln Parish School Transportation Supervisor Doc Hoefler offered a ridealong for a full experience. The buses are equipped with air conditioning, seat belts, and charging ports for mobile devices in each captain’s seat. Each bus can seat over 40 riders.
The activity buses have already run a few school field trips as of the end of May. Current bus drivers in Lincoln Parish will not need any extra license or certification to drive the bus than they already have.
The buses were purchased from Ross Bus sales in Alexandria, La., back in mid-March and were wrapped by Rapid Signs in Ruston toward the end of the school year.
