VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — As Vigo County students prepare to head back to school, local officials are telling us what they do to make sure the kids get to their destination safely.

Doctor John Newport, the Chief Operating Officer of facility operations food services and transportation for the Vigo County School Corporation noted that they have six trained mechanics who work all summer long, as well as all throughout the year to keep buses safe and maintained.

Tasks such as oil changes are done, and tires, brakes, and steering systems are checked.

“Part of that bus safety and it starts right here. The bus garage with our maintenance program where our mechanics are very thorough with their buses.  It also starts with the school bus drivers notifying us of anything that might be just a little bit off if they’re running a little bit hot or if they’re if there’s a warning light that’s coming on their dashboard so that’s one of the reasons why we always have a mechanic manning the radio every day,” Newport said.

Newport also suggested that parents get kids out to the bus stop about 10 minutes early during the first few days as they continue working to fill any bus vacancies they may have.