12/8/09

By Rachel Azevedo

A Bend school bus driver checks her bus prior to driving her afternoon route. Her bus was working Tuesday morning, but because of the negative temperatures overnight, about a dozen in the fleet were not. Complications range from frozen air compressors to diesel fuel that gelled, leaving some kids without a ride to school.

"Bus drivers who didn't have buses went in their personal cars and drove their routes so they could go to the bus stops and explain to the children that buses were not going to make it," said Bend La Pine School District Transportation Manger, Denice Blake.

Of the 77 routes around Bend, seven did not run. Fuel was treated and winterized last week. It was worse in La Pine where temperatures dipped into the negative 20's. Bio diesel fuel gelled in the buses, forcing La Pine and Sunriver schools to close. As temperatures are forcasted to dip again Tuesday night, the school district must make a decision.

"We're working on finding out, at what point is it too cold for the buses to run where we can dependably get out there," said Blake.

A Sisters driver fell victim to the cold when his truck refused to start Tuesday morning.

"All the water in my radiator is froze up. Not going to crank over until it gets a little warmer," said Brian Banks Sr.

The manager of Bend Auto says there are some simple steps drivers can take to minimize the risk of car trouble.

"I'd inspect the battery terminals, make sure they're nice and clean, not a bunch of stuff on them. Check the age of the battery. If it's more than five years old you might want to have it tested," said Jim Brennan

He also says to make sure hoses aren't cracked, that coolant is at the proper level, and to block out the wind.

"My truck is pretty froze up so I think the wind was coming out of the west," said Banks.