Bus driver claims idling buses causing health risks

CANTON — A Canton Central School District bus driver claims some of his fellow drivers are jeopardizing his health, placing students at risk and wasting taxpayers' money by idling parked school buses for excessive periods.

Richard F. Stemples, 67, Lisbon, said recently that some of his co-workers keep their bus engines idling for 20 to 40 minutes, releasing harmful diesel exhaust that twice caused him to be overcome by fumes.

The district is denying the allegation, but Mr. Stemples said he plans to raise an alarm until the situation is addressed.

"The carbon monoxide is dangerous for the bus drivers and the students," Mr. Stemples said. "I don't think the problem has been addressed and it needs to be."

On two mornings in mid-October, Mr. Stemples said, he was sickened by exhaust fumes released by idling buses parked at the school bus garage before drivers began their pickup bus runs. The second time, on Oct. 15, Mr. Stemples said, he was taken by Canton Rescue Squad to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, and diagnosed with "an inhalation injury."

"I had nausea, choking and burning in my throat," he said. "I also had a headache. I was overcome by the fumes."

Mr. Stemples said he's lodged complaints with officials from his union, Truck Drivers and Helpers Union Local 687, and with Frederick L. Peets, the district's director of operations.

Mr. Peets said, based on his observations, he doesn't believe drivers are idling for excessive periods. He said he repeatedly reminds drivers to avoid idling their engines longer than five consecutive minutes whenever practical.

In July, the Canton school board adopted a policy that directs bus drivers to minimize "to the extent practicable" the amount of time they allow their buses to idle on school grounds or in front of the school building. The district recently made revisions in the policy to coincide with the state Education Department's updated policy on bus idling.

The updated Canton policy lists three exceptions that allow bus drivers to leave their buses idling as long as necessary. Those include maintaining an "appropriate temperature" for passenger comfort, for mechanical work or in emergency evacuations when necessary to operate a wheelchair lift.

The district's idling policy is posted at the bus garage and discussed frequently during monthly meetings between labor and management, Mr. Peets said.

"We keep emphasizing our policy," Mr. Peets said. "If the idling was excessive, I think I would hear about it from everyone, including the students."

Mr. Stemples insisted he's not the only one complaining.

"I am the most vocal," he said. "I don't want to be fired, but I don't want to be injured. Most of all, I don't want the students injured."

Mr. Stemples, a retired Ogdensburg City School District band teacher, said he started driving a bus full time for Canton about four years ago because he enjoys being with students.

ON THE NET

State Anti-Idling campaign:

www.emsc.nysed.gov/schoolbus/anti-idling/home.html