SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- School Bus Incorporated of Sioux Falls says it would take more buses and more money to have seat belts on all the buses.
New Federal safety guidelines now recommend restraint systems on all school buses.
"That would mean an additional 25 buses to transport the same number of students at an approximate cost of $1.3 million to the District," estimates General Manager Jim Shafer.
Shafer says the biggest challenge is the recommended restraint system itself. It restrains three students across a single seat with belts at various levels to fit High School, Middle School and elementary children. But the Sioux Falls School District transports its high school and middle school kids separately from the elementary students - thus the need for additional buses.
He says the school buses are safe the way they are.
Shafer says it's up to the School District and/or the State to decide whether or not to follow the new federal guidelines.
The Rapid City School District is considering equipping school buses with seat belts, in light of the new guidelines from the National Transportation Safety Board.