The experiences of several school bus garages around the country show that it is possible to modernize equipment and upgrade training while also holding the line on costs. Computer software is used to track servicing, inventory, and other information about a bus fleet. Related factors in improved bus maintenance are the quality of the vehicles and…

A comparison of two Tennessee school districts revealed that the district with in-house pupil transportation spent less than the district that contracted for the service. A sidebar discusses the characteristics of small vs. large contractors for school buses. (MLF)

Examines privatization of pupil transportation and suggests that asset ownership may be separated from asset operation. Discusses the advantages of a school district owning its school buses if operation is contracted out. (MLF)

Computerized bus-routing systems plot the most efficient routes, cut the time it takes to draw routes, and generate reports quickly and accurately. However, school districts often underestimate the amount of work necessary to get information into the computer database. (MLF)

Delineating the current costs and quality of service of pupil transportation provides a basis for evaluating alternatives. With this, districts can identify the opportunities to (1) provide the current service more efficiently; (2) modify the current service parameters; and (3) provide service under a more efficient operating system. (MLF)

Administrators looking for budget relief might look for cost savings in pupil transportation. The basic school bus that meets federal standards, with no optional equipment, is the safest vehicle on the road. The best investment in a transportation program is driver training. Route and schedule changes might lead to an increase in efficiency…

Explains how software transportation programs help school districts track school-bus routes, fleet status, and other information and how to move a district to such a system. Advice is provided on the criteria for selecting software vendors, matching data and information of new software with systems and procedures already in place, training users,…

Express routing, under consideration by San Diego (California) Public Schools, is a form of bus transportation that picks up and drops off students at centralized points instead of driving through residential neighborhoods. This report examines other, similar districts' experiences in applying express routing in integration and other school…

The expertise and resources of contracted student transportation can free up school administrators' time and attention. When school boards are considering contracting student transportation, the school business official's role is crucial in taking an objective look at all the policy options. Cites three sources for additional information. (MLF)

Contracting for noneducational services is standard operating procedure in many school districts. Private contractors are involved in transportation, food service, maintenance, and even, in rare cases, instruction. Before deciding to contract out, school boards should examine improvement to school-run operations before making a final decision.…

A study was made to determine the extent of the need for transportation, the efficiency with which school bus routes are designed, the quality of the service, the administrative provisions and procedures to deliver the service, and the methods of financing the cost. Findings, conclusions, and recommendations are summarized in the first chapter of…

To draw comparisons for assessing transportation costs and developing recommendations for legislative action in New York, this study compares school transportation policies and practices that may be related to differences in transportation costs in eight states having the largest public school enrollments for 1980. Data were obtained from existing…