Usually when a bus is late passengers can blame the driver, but not in the case of an order placed by Sacramento State University for a new shuttle.–

– According to the office of Budget Planning and Administration, the new shuttle was originally ordered in April. Attempts to contact University Transpiration and Parking Services to confirm any information pertaining to the new vehicle have been unsuccessful.–

– According to budget planning office, the cost of the bus is approximately $197,000. Arrival of the new bus has been delayed, but neither UTAPS nor University Support Services could provide the approximate date of delivery originally set in their contract. —

– “(The new bus has) been in the works for as long as I can remember,” said Laura Ball, a driver for the Hornet Express Shuttle Bus. —

– Some of the buses used by the university have racked up many miles and are unreliable. Shuttles often need repairs and many are older models. Older shuttles also use diesel fuel, while newer vehicles run on natural gas.”The smell gives me a headache after a while,” said Ball, referring to shuttles that operate on diesel fuel. —

– Last spring, two buses were unavailable for use on the same day. As a result, shuttle services were reduced to using a van to pick up students, because no other buses were available. That same semester, Ball said that UTAPS ran out of money designated for repairs. —

– Ronald Grant, director of University Support Services said that the university orders new buses every two years. He said he is not extremely concerned about the delay in delivery, but admits that the bus company is having trouble keeping their commitment. —

– “The company is having difficulty producing (the bus),” Grant said. That company in question is California Bus Sales located in Fresno. Calls to the company were not returned, and the company’s Web site shows an out of service message. —

– Grant explained that a delay in receiving is uncommon, but does occasionally happen.–

– “If it was June or July, I would be concerned,” Grant said. —

– The bus will not be in full service until this upcoming fall semester. When it finally arrives, the bus will be used for training during the summer. —

– The funds used to purchase the bus come from the university’s general fund. Financing for the purchase is received from the alternative transportation fund. These revenues are generated through parking fines. They are also used to help cover some of the costs related to the student pass program, which allows those attending Sac State to ride public transportation for free. —

– The new bus will have some features that current shuttles do not. For example, the bus will be equipped with overhead luggage compartments. —

– “Each time we get a bus, we try to make them a little nicer,” Grant said. Ball claims that few mechanical problems have occurred this year, and shuttles will continue to operate on schedule without the new addition. —

– “We can manage for right now,” Ball said.