Milan Bus Mechanic Honored for Keeping Students Safe

Long before Milan Area Schools students climb aboard their buses, Doug Orr is already at work making sure they can get there safely.

Orr, the district’s transportation mechanic for the past nine years, was named the 2026 Bus Technician of the Year on July 2 at the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation’s annual conference.

For Transportation Director Jeannie Baber, the award recognizes work that often begins before sunrise and largely happens out of public view.

Orr arrives at the district’s bus garage around 5:30 a.m., helping with morning dispatch, answering parent calls and addressing problems before buses leave the lot. Even when school is canceled, Baber said, he comes in to make sure the vehicles are ready for the next run.

“Safety, safety, safety is what Doug is all about,” Baber said.

Orr helps maintain the district’s fleet of 20 school buses, along with vehicles used by the maintenance department. He orders buses, parts and fuel, keeps employees informed about changing technology and regulations, and speaks at monthly safety meetings about concerns drivers should watch for.

Each bus receives a thorough inspection every 1,000 miles under a maintenance schedule carried out by Orr and fellow mechanic Todd Anderson, a more frequent mileage interval than even the state-recommended maximum of 3,500 miles. Drivers also complete pre-trip inspections and report anything that needs attention.

That extra margin is one example of the care Baber said Orr brings to the job.
Baber said Orr’s leadership, up-to-date certifications and commitment to maintaining a safe fleet made him a natural choice for the nomination.

“He is a great employee, a great leader to all who work with him and a dedicated employee who wants nothing more than to have a safe fleet for our students to go to school,” she said.

Orr has 24 years of experience as a diesel mechanic, including 17 years in public schools.

Superintendent Ryan McMahon said Orr’s work ethic and attention to detail have helped the district’s transportation department maintain its record of clean bus inspections.

During the July 13 school board meeting, McMahon joked that Orr’s attention to detail may occasionally drive the bus drivers “a little crazy,” but said those high standards result in quality service.

“We’re really proud of that award and honored to have him with us,” McMahon said.

For families, much of Orr’s work is invisible. It happens in the garage before dawn, beneath a bus or behind the scenes when something needs to be fixed.

But each morning, when Milan’s buses pull away, his care and attention travel with them.