Bal Harbour donates bus to Barry University

Bal Harbour's former express service bus has been donated to Barry University's Broadcast Journalism School.

The village tried selling the bus on eBay with an opening bid of $8,500, but decided to donate it after no one bid on the vehicle, according to village manager Alfred Treppeda in a letter addressed to the council.

The university will use the vehicle to hold field equipment and as a control room for remote production.

``They have no budgeted funds for this endeavor, so our donation of the bus would greatly enhance the learning environment of this program,'' wrote Treppeda, referring to the Catholic university in Miami Shores.

The 2004 model bus had over 250,000 miles and had a history of breaking down.

``This will give our students the experience in multi-camera shooting and switching live coverage of different events,'' Barry University Associate Vice President Thomas P. Severino wrote in a letter addressed to the village.

The village recently purchased a new bus for about $70,000.

-- RODOLFO ROMAN