Long deserved bus barn improvement completed in time for Christmas dinner

Renovation of the Payton Family Service Center (or bus barn) was completed in time for the Webb City R-7 transportation staff members to enjoy their Christmas dinner in the new, spacious break room.

The break room is in the area of the building that was once the auto body classroom and more recently just used for storage.

Until now, the drivers gathered before going on their routes in the garage bay (and some may still prefer that when it’s not too hot or cold because of habit and the casual atmosphere).

“It seems like a small thing,” says Tony Philpot, director of transportation, but the most popular improvements among the staff are the new restrooms – especially because the old ones are so bad.

Those improvements also include epoxy floor covering and updates to the heating and air conditioning.

The $240,000 project is “well deserved by the drivers, for sure,” says Philpot. School Board members said the same thing when they approved the contract. American Construction is the contractor.

There are around 45 drivers.

Philpot says there’s no longer a bus driver shortage, but he thinks the better facility will be a benefit to help retain and attract drivers.

Counting bus aides and mechanics, there are 58 in the transportation department.

“It’s kind of a family group of people,” adds Philpot. “Everybody gets along.”