by Sabrina Salas Matanane
Guam - Democrat Senator Tom
Ada has written Governor Eddie Calvo asking that he consider using Compact
Impact money to purchase ten new school buses for the Department of Public
Works. It was on Monday, several Maria
Ulloa Elementary
School students waited two hours after classes
were dismissed to be picked up due to a shortage of buses and drivers who had
called in sick. According to Sen. Ada DPW currently has 138 school buses in its
inventory, which represents 77% of the number required to efficiently transport
students. Not only is the fleet old, but almost half are beyond their economic
service life. The Senator added in his letter to the Governor that he is in the
process of formulating legislation to provide a dedicated funding source to support
a viable maintenance program for DPW's school buses. Additionally he plans on
holding an information hearing with DPW on March 8th.