This type of freedom is a key part of why so many schools have opted for school bus contracts. And in almost all cases, the outsourcing of transport services has proven successful, as administrators are able to maintain control through contractual terms while focusing on other important tasks. The reasons why districts consider contract transportation vary, but often fall into one of the following categories: Outsourcing can solve all of these problems. Private entrepreneurs, whose main activity is the transportation of students, have a single goal: to provide the school bus service as efficiently and cheaply as possible, while ensuring the highest level of safety and reliable service. Just as school districts are experts in providing education, private school bus companies are experts in providing transportation. A change as important as outsourcing transport is not always easy. This requires forward-looking preparation, diplomacy and sensitivity to those who will be affected by the change – drivers and other staff, parents, education committee members and taxpayers. Student transportation contractors are aware of stakeholder concerns and know that a complete understanding of the process is essential. Education agencies are primarily concerned with maintaining control over transportation. This can be easily achieved through the specifications of the contract, including detailed equipment, personnel and service requirements, as well as implementing provisions. In addition, a district that is not satisfied with a contractor may change its service provider. This competitive aspect promotes a high level of service and efficiency among entrepreneurs.
Driver resistance is one of the most difficult challenges to overcome. Drivers mistakenly fear that outsourcing means their jobs are at risk. In fact, entrepreneurs see county drivers as their most valuable asset. The experience and goodwill of the community`s drivers is invaluable to the entrepreneur, who hopes to capitalize on these assets. A district can ensure that drivers maintain the current salary and performance level by including these specifications in the contract. In addition, drivers often benefit from the possibility of recovering additional work charters or other coordinated means of transport for the entrepreneur and, in some states, from the possibility of receiving unemployment benefits during school holidays. In many cases, drivers also benefit in more subtle ways, thanks to more professional training and a more direct impact on operations. Once the parties fully understand the benefits of outsourcing, they rarely backtrack.
It is very unusual for a neighborhood that has ordered transportation to take over this function in the house. Outsourcing is an effective strategy to solve various transportation problems. Partnering with a private school bus company whose expertise lies in student transportation allows the school administration to focus on its core task of educating students while providing a safe, efficient and cost-effective service. One of the most common misperceptions is that contract bus transportation is less safe than internal bus services. All drivers, public and private, must meet state and federal certification standards. Private contractors must meet driver training standards as well as the same government maintenance standards as in-house operators. In addition, private bus fleets are on average newer than internal buses. Another misperception is that after the initial duration of a private company`s contract, prices will rise significantly. However, pricing is governed by contractual terms, and restrictions on increases are often set in initial bids. Transport decision-makers are caught in the crossfire.
They have a duty to save taxpayers` money and, at the same time, a duty to their employees. They are conscientious fund managers, but they see the value of new buses, advanced safety training, video surveillance and better customer service for the community and their families. About 30% of U.S. school districts outsource bus transportation (mostly across the border in Canada, that`s 73%). In Pennsylvania, 80 percent of school districts use contract transportation services, according to Delco News Network. Michigan`s Mackinac Center for Public Policy said in a 2013 report that the number of Michigan school districts opting for transportation services dropped from just 3.9 percent a decade earlier in 2003 to 20.9 percent in 2013. Michigan school districts reported a 93 percent satisfaction rate, according to the Mackinac Center, which also reviewed food and care services. In the words of a Downstate Illinois School Board official, the lower cost of transportation contracts incurred to fund schools in difficult times makes it “difficult to say no.” School administrators see a way to save tens of thousands to millions of dollars by hiring a private transportation company.
But local bus drivers, often loyal and long-time, fear the loss of wages, benefits and even jobs. They raise questions about the commitment and responsibility of the unknown bus operator traveling outside the city. Parents worry about the safety and reliability of the company they hand over their children to every morning. Savvy private transportation companies recognize the value of existing drivers. They strive to hire them because of their commitment to a district and their knowledge of routes and even individual students. Retaining drivers allows contractors to make a smoother transition to a new transportation system. What happens when school transport contracts are awarded is important, not only for parents of school-age children and educators, but also for taxpayers and concerned citizens at all stages of life. With the amount of money at stake and the livelihoods that are often at stake, there is a lot of conflicting information. Here are basic answers to the most basic questions that are easy for everyone to understand. Find a school bus operator near you through our Find School Transportation database! By entering into a contract, a school district can modernize or completely replace an aging fleet with new buses equipped at the district`s choice (within the limits of state law) without making a capital investment.
It can control transportation costs and accurately forecast those costs throughout the contract period. It can protect the salaries and benefits of current employees through contractual specifications or reduce excessive employee costs by allowing the contractor to use market standards. .