WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Republican reports that the Westfield Public School District is considering alternatives to deal with nearly empty buses, including asking students who drive themselves to and from school to opt out of the free school transportation system.

Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Scallion told the district’s school committee on Monday that the option is voluntary and if students who opt out of the transportation system discover afterward that they need transportation later in the school year, they will be able to opt back in, according to The Republican.

If the school district proceeds with the option, it would not see a substantial savings until 2016 when the department seeks out new bids for continued school bus contracts. However, some savings could be realized during the 2014-15 school year through the reallocation of resources and a possible reduction in fuel costs.

Currently, 30 school buses with 47-student capacities serve the high schools daily. Many of them travel with fewer than a dozen riders on board.

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