COVER STORY
What Does the Customer Want? Te list is endless and can include LED lights all over the bus,
dry cell batteries, solar chargers, skid plates, extra side-turn in- dicator lights, reflective tape on bumpers, and GPS. Las Vegas’ Clark County School District (CCSD) insists that every com- ponent it lists include 50-page document to instruct potential vendors. But the economy has influenced the process. “One year we scaled back significantly, but [we] are still pur-
chasing needed requirements based on 14-year replacement plans,” said Douglas Geller, CCSD director of bus operations. “Growth has slowed a bit, so [it] has some effect on levels.” Other districts approach the process with security at the fore-
front of their decision-making process. Andy Ardoin, director of transportation for Calcasieu Parish School System in Lake Charles, La., requires public address systems, radios, student alert systems, tinted windows and white roofs on all new school buses. Te district has found that the addition of a public address system on board re- duces parent complaints that the school bus driver is hollering at their child and has shown an improvement in student discipline on the buses. Before he adds his options, though, Ardoin must include the state’s minimum standards, even with the deficit he is facing. “Currently our school system is facing a $17 million deficit
mainly due to the state increase to the employees retirement system and loss of local tax revenue. We will not purchase any school buses for school year 2010-2011,” added Ardoin.
‘Get There First’ For Rick Harbour from Mansfield Truck Sales & Service, Inc.,
in Mansfield, Ohio, the above is not only a motto, it’s a mission. Harbour and his team try to help local districts during the spec writing process to assure fairness during the bidding process. He meets with everyone involved to ensure that all ideas and opin- ions are considered. “Make suggestions and do not ‘knock’ the competition,” sug-
gested Harbour. “Show them what you can do and provide them all the information that they need.” Tis sometimes includes leaving a bus with the district for a
few days so the mechanics, managers and drivers get a chance to put it to the test. Also, he reminds dealers to ask questions, highlighting the fact that the district’s request and your interpre- tation might not be the same, eliminating problems when the actual bus is built. But, in the end, Harbour reminds everyone that it is always up to the customer. “Let’s face it, Blue Bird, Tomas and IC all have quality prod-
ucts, and most schools have no problem purchasing either brand if the price is right. Over the years, I have gone in and pleaded my case [as to] why we are better and the best ‘bang for the buck.’ I have won a lot of the battles and I have lost my share strictly because of the cash flow.” ■
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