MANOR, Pa. — Armstrong School District could save nearly $875,000 during the next school year by increasing the percentage of its double bus runs, according to officials from School Transportation Consultants.

The company was hired to study the district’s busing system. Randy Serafin of School Transportation Consultants told the district’s school board Monday that the district currently has 38 percent of its buses making double runs. With extensive route changes and modifications, Serafin said, that number will increase to 90 percent next school year.

"By increasing the number of double runs, we were able to eliminate 31 buses from the fleet, maximizing the number of students on each bus," Serafin told Leader Times. "By doing so, the district will see a cost reduction of $874,666 next year."

Serafin and Randy Smith, owner of the firm and Smith Bus Co., told the board that by using the district's current transportation software and working with the district's five contractors, the district should see annual savings.

After an hour-long discussion about the transportation plan, directors voted 7 to 1 to approve it and begin to implement the recommended changes, Leader Times reports.