The delivery of the City of Statesboro's four new buses for the Statesboro Area Transit bus system (SAT) have been postponed again because of some uncontrollable delays. This update was given in a public work session on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
John Washington, Director of Public Works and Engineering for Statesboro said during the meeting, “We are still waiting on buses here in mid-January.”
He next said they are working with DOT and CRC.
“The CRC had a recall; the recall is being completed,” Washington added.
Unapproved Wraps for Buses Cause Delay
Next, Washington said, “We had to do a revised wrap to meet DOT approval. The full wrap was not approved.”
In fact, a wrap is kind of like a skin with a logo and information one sometimes sees on some municipal or some businesses’ vehicles. They have been used for everything from police cars to delivery cars.
After the meeting, in an email interview, Washington said, "Currently the City is consulting GDOT and CRC to determine what logo is allowed. At this time the full wrap is not approved."
The City had previously submitted a wrap design which also included the bottom and the top of the vehicles. DOT wanted the wrap to be just on the sides.
The unapproved wrap design follows:
Next, a new design was submitted with the graphics and logo on the sides:
Washington next stated over email, "The half wrap appears to be approved at this time but not confirmed."
As mentioned in the meeting, the DOT has to do a final inspection before they can release the buses. In addition, it will take one week per vehicle to complete a wrap.
Buses have to be Returned in Five Years
Washington next specified that when they receive the buses that they have to be returned to the DOT in five years.
Over email, he stated new ones will be ordered at that time.
When they do arrive, the buses will take one large route around Statesboro which will take 40 minutes total with various stops along the way.
In addition, Washington said all of the buses will be handicapped accessible.
Some discussion about expanding the route happened in the planning session.
Later, in an email interview, Washington said some of the major streets on the route are North and South Main and Northside Drive.
"You can deduce the rest from the map," he added.
The initial planned route is shown on this map:
Washington said over email, "This route will have a minor modification to add Johnson Street to the east/west route."
