(a) Except as provided by subsection (b), any school district or nonpublic school transporting students in a vehicle designed for transporting more than 10 passengers in addition to the driver, shall transport such students in a school bus, as defined in subsection (g) of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-6486, and amendments thereto, or in a bus other than a school bus designated in clauses (3) and (4) of subsection (c) of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-6486, and amendments thereto.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), any school district or nonpublic school which has purchased and has placed into operation prior to July 1, 2001, any motor vehicles designed for transporting more than 10 passengers, but less than 15 passengers, and is not a school bus, may continue to operate such motor vehicles for the purpose of transporting students until July 1, 2005.