The new federal highway and public transportation law mandates three-point seatbelts for NEW motorcoaches -- and only new coaches.

But some coach operators are getting ahead of the curve and installing belted seats in older buses, report executives at two motorcoach suppliers and a major seat maker.

Ron Miller, general manager of the Motor Coach Industries Service Center in Loudonville, Ohio, says there is "moderate" interest among operators in retrofitting older buses with seatbelts.

"Most of the belted seats we have installed have been for larger operators," he said.

Jon Savitz of ABC Companies in Faribault, Minn., says three-point belted seats are most commonly being requested by operators when they inquire about coach refurbishing services.

Savitz attributes operators interest in retrofitting seatbelts to "requests they are receiving from their customers to provide equipment with this safety feature included.

"In some cases, customers are including clauses within their contracts, requiring equipment with three-point seatbelts to be provided by operators," says Savitz, who is ABCs senior vice president of business development.

Savitz also noted that all used coaches on ABC lots that have been through the companys "Pre-Owned Refurbishment Program" for select pre-owned motorcoaches have new three-point belted seats installed as a standard feature.

So, how does an operator decide when to buckle down and get seatbelts installed?

What does it involve?

What does it cost?

Heres how Miller, Savitz and George Farrell of Amaya/Astron Seating of North America answer those questions and others.

Q: What model-year coaches are most often having seatbelts retrofitted?

Savitz: In general, 2000 and newer models are a better fit for seatbelt retrofit service.

Miller: So far, the 2003 model-year seems to be a popular average age.

Q. Are operators having three-point seatbelts retrofitted at the same time they're having other work done to their bus, such as installing a rebuilt engine or transmission, or new paint job?

Miller: Sometimes thats the case. It seems like operators that are trying to spruce up their fleet will add belted seats along with some other type of upgrade, which could be mechanical or a new-look paint job.

Q. Whats involved in the retrofitting process?

Miller: Some of the older models require structure enhancements but, for the most part, the seats are replaced and the overhead passenger modules are re-spaced to match.

Savitz: Dependent on the model, the level of structural modifications required varies, including the mounting requirements to meet the pull test.

In the absence of a final U.S. rule-making mandate, ABCs installations are approved to meet either Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 210 or European standards.

Farrell: The late-model ones. . .theres not much you have to do to put in new seats. But the older ones, you have to do a lot to them. The floor tracks where the seats mount to, they have to be reinforced.

Q: How long does a seat retrofit take?

Savitz: Standard delivery for new seats is 45-60 days. Time out of service for a coach is minimal, with seat installation typically completed within one-to-two weeks of product delivery.

Q: What does it cost?

Miller: The price varies depending on the seat type and coach, but $35,000 (new set of 56-passenger seats with three-point seatbelts, including installation) has been the average.

Savitz: The cost to retrofit a coach with new seats, including three-point seatbelts, varies depending on the level of structural modifications required as well as the seating options requested. Seating and installation begins at $34,900, plus freight costs. Specific estimates for applicable models can be provided upon request.

Farrell: It depends on the options on the seats and the model of the seats. Youre probably talking anywhere from $26,000 to $30,000 for the seats for a coach. Then, $10,000 to $15,000 to complete structural changes on older coaches.

Q: Is there some sort of break-even year when it may make economic sense for retrofits, or does it depend more on the condition of the bus, its mileage, its usage?

Miller: Good question, but the answer depends on many variables, including the examples you mentioned. I think coach owners know if an investment like this makes sense for their coach.