September has been a bonanza month for local students who have long dealt with out-of-pocket transportation expenses and other difficulties in getting to and from the places where they study.
As of this week, the Chapala government is operating a new fleet of vehicles to provide free rides to the scholastic community.
The service includes daily shuttles to different academic institutions in four brand-new bright yellow passenger vans received from the state government. They will also be made available for travel related to extracurricular activities and occasional use to transport local inhabitants requiring trips to the Guadalajara metro area for non-emergency medical care.
One of the vans has been designated for exclusive service to students enrolled at the CONALEP technical high school located on the Libramiento bypass.
Another bonus for the CONALEP campus is the donation of a full-size school bus that was officially delivered on Monday, September 18.
The classic Blue Bird diesel model was imported from Canada last year and titled to the municipality upon arrival at the U.S. border.
It was gifted to the Chapala government by local residents and community activists Graham and Sheila Paull and Canadian friend Garry Willsie, a fellow Shriner.
The benefactors covered the purchase price for the second-hand bus, reconditioning to optimum mechanical and safety specifications and road expenses to Laredo, Texas, where it was transferred to the Chapala firefighters who drove it south. City Hall has assumed responsibility for the vehicle’s legalization, insurance, operation and upkeep.