By Rupert Howell

South Panola’s school bus fleet has recently been upgraded but not with new $80,000 buses.

The district will replace ten 1992 buses with similar 1997 model buses that average $8,600 per bus according to transportation director Scootie Murphree.

Murphree said the buses were purchased through local bus broker Magnolia Sales and that he was allowed to inspect a fleet of approximately 20 to choose 10 the district would buy.

All are either Thomas or Bluebird chasis with eight-cylinder International Auto diesel engines. The current bus fleet consist of approximately 60 buses, most of them Thomas or Bluebirds with six-cylinder diesel motors.

While the updated buses have between 65,000-135,000 miles, the buses being replaced average well over 200,000 miles according to Murphree.

School trustees approved the purchase during their February meeting. Several of the buses being replaced will be sold for bid March 23. Murphree stated that the used buses had been used prior to being replaced.