Texas Correctional Industries Ellis Bus Repair Facility Huntsville, Texas 77343 (936) 295-5756 EXT. 5134 (800) 833-4302 Fax: (936) 293-7400 The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Ellis Bus Repair Facility began operation in 1972 through joint efforts of the Gulf Coast School Transportation Directors Association, the Texas Education Agency, the General Services Commission, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, to help school districts with bus repair problems. This program has been a considerable savings to school districts and taxpayers of Texas while training offenders in skilled trades. The facility is housed in a 70,000 square foot building covering one and one third acres. Approximately 170 offenders are supervised by 14 employees who are knowledgeable of the vocations in which they are assigned. Quality work has been the trademark of this facility. All work and materials used in the repair of school buses will meet or exceed state and federal specifications. Mechanical: All mechanical work will be done by quote only. Wheelchair Lifts: Wheelchair lifts can be installed on buses by our qualified technicians. TCI Customers Are: State agencies and political subdivisions of a state, the federal government, a foreign government, or an agency of any of those governments, or a private or independent institution of higher education. Interior: * Upholstery material meets all vehicle year specifications and is flame retardant when required by specifications. * New skin back foam and boric acid treated cotton is installed when needed. * Floor mats for passenger sections include new rubber for aisle and seat areas. Metal moldings will be replaced when needed. * Wood flooring can be replaced at additional charge. * Step-well treads are not included in mat prices. * All glass is safety type. Flat glass is priced by the foot. * Escape hatches can be installed upon request. Painting: * White roofs reflect sunlight and reduce interior temperature. * Prices for complete exterior paint jobs include removal of old paint and primer. * Exterior paint jobs include vinyl lettering as per Texas specifications. * Prices for painting do not include repair of dents or rust, tightening of structural component parts or replacement of body parts. Body repair is an extra charge and will require customer authorization prior to work. Jacksonville "Daily Progress" newspaper gave permission for this reprint: Sweet "new" ride JISD refurbishes activity buses for new school year By Nathan Straus nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com Jacksonville Independent School District's pair of old white activity buses have a new and colorful flair for the new school year. District Transportation Department Director John Keller said both of the district's roughly 40-foot-long vehicles have been given makeovers by the Texas Department of Corrections. "They were beginning to look like they needed refit and refurbishment, Keller said. "We had used them for 11 years." Keller said when the buses were painted white by an outside contractor the work cost $20,000. The work done by the Department of Corrections, including a paint job to give the buses a color scheme more in line with school spirit, only cost $7,000, he said. The buses, Keller said , will roll around town and beyond as transportation to various extra-curricular activities such as football, basketball, and Cherokee Charmers events. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Lindy Finley said the vehicles provide a valuable service to the schools. "Anything we can do to extend the lives of the buses is a good thing," she said. “We've got some aging buses we want to keep in service and may use the prison system to help our route buses." Finley said without the activity buses, route buses would need to drive extra miles to deliver children to their after-school destinations. District Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell said he is glad to have both the buses and a way to have them refurbished at low prices. “This just shows we're taking care of the equipment our taxpayers have entrusted us with," Wardell said. Keller said he expects the vehicles to leave the school's bus barn at least three times a week, equating to a total of well over 108 trips for each bus. The vehicles, which he valued at over $90,000, are expected to serve the school for about another decade, he added. "We'll use them as much as we possibly can," Keller said. "We make 700 extra-curricular activity trips a year and these will bear the brunt of them." Services Offered: Paint White Roof-Under 48 Passenger Paint White Roof-Over 48 Passenger Exterior Paint, 15-24 Passenger Exterior Paint, 36 Passenger Exterior Paint, 48-54 Passenger Exterior Paint, 60-72 Passenger Complete Paint, 15-24 Passenger Complete Paint, 36 Passenger Complete Paint, 48-54 Passenger Complete Paint, 60-72 Passenger Upholstery, Seat Bottoms, "Fire Resistant" Upholstery, Seat Bottoms Upholstery, Modesty Panel, "Fire Resistant" Upholstery, Modesty Panel Upholstery, Drivers Seat, "Fire Resistant" Upholstery, Drivers Seat Upholstery Double Backs, "Fire Resistant" Upholstery Double Backs Step Treads, 19 Passengers Step Treads, 38-72 Passenger Floor Mats, 15-24 Passenger Floor Mats, 36 Passenger Floor Mats, 48-54 Passenger Floor Mats, 60-72 Passenger Floor Mat, Driver's Compartment Air Conditioning, 19 Passenger Air Conditioning, 35-72 Passenger Air Conditioning, Extra Cool, 72 Passenger Air conditioning installations can be done on school buses with diesel and newer gas engines. Ellis Bus Repair Facility (936) 295-5756 extension 5134 (800) 833-4302 Fax: (936) 294-7400