News
Districts Squeeze Savings Out of Public Co-ops, Private Contracting
WRITTEN BY JULIE METEA W
hen contracting for student transportation, school districts are finding savings and upgrades through trusted partner- ships, and there are a few different paths leading toward renewed fleets.
Some districts are building economies of scale through interdependencies of their own. In northeastern New Jersey, the Sussex County Regional Co-op has a $30 million budget for managing transportation contracts on behalf of 118 participating school districts. In total, the Co-op works with contractors to transport more than 10,000 students across counties on 809 total routes to 535 school destinations. It covers all special education, public, non-public, vocational-technical and charter students. “In one year alone, 10 school districts saved over $1.2 million. Tat type of savings over the years will help control school taxes or redirect them back to the classroom,” said Amanda Ferrington, the Co-op’s director of transportation. “School district officials contact our agency to become members and they receive shared services, cost savings, safe and efficient pupil transportation services.” Approximately 90 school bus contractors go through the Co-op’s bidding
process, calling for vehicles that are six years old or newer. If a school district requires the installation of technology such as a GPS unit or camera systems on their buses, the solutions will be incorporated into the bid. Te Co-op also offers its contractors two driver-aide training sessions every year. “I feel our success is due to the fact that each of our staff cares deeply for
children. We attempt to solve each issue with placing each child’s safety as the main concern,” added Ferrington. In California, Hemet Unified School District acts as a public transporta- tion agency for several districts in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. With a $28 million budget, the organization has 49 contracts with school districts, 17 of which are full service agreements. Hemet acts as the “contractor” itself by operating 366 school buses, some powered by compressed natural gas, as well as maintaining equipment, integrating new technologies and training drivers. “We define the level of service a district needs and work out a fixed price to operate and maintain vehicles. We help each other offset costs of transporting students,” said Michael Fogerty, director of transportation for Hemet Unified.
Public consortiums such as the Sussex County Regional Cooperative in New Jersey can open the door to big transportation savings for member school districts. Similar co-ops, where available, share services with local schools and reduce costs.
18 School Transportation News • APRIL 2017
GOOD RELATIONSHIPS GO A LONG WAY WHEN RENEWING FLEETS Districts also reinvest in contracts with traditional contractors who offer
partnerships, customized transportation services and upgraded bus features. In February, Duval County School District in Florida invested in a new $187 million, 10-year contract with Student Transportation Inc., which will provide Jacksonville-area communities with over 230 new school buses
CELEBRATING25YEARS
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