The Yellow School Bus Industry White Paper provides readers with a wide range of information detailing the structure of the yellow school bus industry and provides a “behind-the-scenes look” to get the most out of school transportation. Topics include: industry structure; drivers and support staff; buses and other equipment; transportation and education system; economic issues; outsourcing; and matters of public order. The outsourcing of school transportation has been successful in almost all cases where schools have worked with private companies to provide transportation for students. While retaining control of transportation through contractual arrangements, school administrators who switch to contracted means of transportation can redirect energy and resources to their primary function, education. 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. Find a school bus operator near you through our Find School Transportation database! 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. 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. Contractors have expertise in planning, routing and planning, which often results in more efficient service and lower costs. In many cases, they can leverage economies of scale, coordinated services, shared facilities, and dedicated staff to improve both efficiency and outcomes. Facts about hiring anti-bullying tools: The dangers of bullying outside the classroom. This part of our website is designed to give our entrepreneur members and school administrators access to interactive anti-bullying tools that they can share with employees and drivers.
Find out how much outsourcing transportation will really save you with these financial tools. COST ANALYSIS CALCULATOR SPREADSHEET COST ANALYSIS.. .