Bus Facts

Here is a look at the the 1989 Blue Bird TC-2000 school bus, operated by Mayflower Contract Services, that overturned and crashed Wednesday near Palm Springs:

MANUFACTURER: Blue Bird Body Co., Ft. Valley, Ga.

CAPACITY: 72 elementary schoolchildren

MAXIMUM WEIGHT WITH LOAD: 30,000 pounds

DIMENSIONS: Height, 10 feet; width, 8 feet; length, 34 feet

DRIVE TRAIN: 180-horsepower, front-mounted diesel engine, automatic transmission

COST: $60,000

SAFETY FEATURES

BODY AND CHASSIS: In an accident, the body, which is steel-reinforced, is designed to remain intact even if it is separated from the chassis. .

SEATS: Bench seats accommodate three children each. Seats are required to be impact-absorbent. Seat belts are not required by law.

GAS TANK: Surrounded by a protective cage; designed to withstand a direct impact.

EMERGENCY EXITS: Two, one on the driver’s side in the middle of the bus, another at the rear.

WINDOWS: Open 12 inches to allow for emergency exit.

BRAKES: Air drum brakes, which are considered safer than hydraulic disc brakes. In case of the loss of air pressure, a backup spring brake system automatically sets the brakes.

SOURCE: Blue Bird Body Co.