First Student has taken 150 buses from its lot in East Hartford out of service after a diagnostic maintenance check on Thursday revealed algae clogging a bus' fuel filter, according to a statement from the bus company.
First Student said a maintenance team worked through the night, checking each bus at the East Hartford location.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to pull all 150 East Hartford lot buses from service today to ensure the safety of the students. A clogged fuel filter can cause a bus to stop without warning. “
The company brought in buses from other locations, but there were delays in service this morning, according to the bus company.
Pathways Academy of Technology and Design Magnet High School, based in Windsor, posted on its web site that it is closed as a result of a problem with transportation.
“Unfortunately, due to a transportation problem, school will be closed,” the school posted on its Web site.
First Students said the fuel vendor will be on site today, cleaning and treating the fuel storage tank.
“We will also replace the fuel filters on every bus and treat each gas tank. We hope to run normal bus service this afternoon and will keep our partners at CREC informed, Jen Biddinger, spokesperson for First Student, said in a statement. “We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. “
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