THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, September 1, 1995              TAG: 9509010511
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                     LENGTH: Short :   26 lines

PHONES ON SCHOOL BUSES

Next month, the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank School System will conduct a pilot project involving the placement of cellular telephones on selected school buses.

The project will involve six buses that traditionally travel the longest routes among all 55 buses in the system's fleet and will affect about 150 students. The phones will give drivers almost instant communication in case of an emergency or a mechanical breakdown.

``We hope these buses will serve as our eyes throughout the community,'' said Charles White, director of school-community relations. ``We're asking these drivers to be on the lookout for other buses that may be having problems and serve as a communications link for help.''

The budget for the year-long pilot project is roughly $2,000. If successful, it could lead to the placement of cellular phones in other buses as funds become available. by CNB