A Hawaii Department of Education official says that the anticipated savings from Oahu’s school bus reform initiative, which is part of a statewide plan to overhaul the transportation program, is $100,000 more than what officials originally expected by the end of the 2013-14 school year. Meanwhile, the department is expanding service in the pilot area, which includes about 30 schools, while decreasing the number of buses in the fleet.
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Since joining Green Brook Township Public Schools in 2008, Transportation Supervisor Nancy Farinella has been able to achieve annual cost savings ranging from $50,000 to more than $150,000 by making the operation more efficient while also bringing in an average of $125,000 per year in revenue for the district. She discusses how, along with her passion for her team.
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Features such as mechanical locks, remote control, LED lighting and lighter weights for more portability make servicing buses even safer and more efficient.
Read More →In an effort to prevent late buses and enhance transportation service, Minnesota’s South Washington County Schools is proposing to change from a four-tier bell time schedule to three tiers. Another change under consideration would be to reduce walking distances from 1.5 miles to 1 mile for middle school students and from 2 to 1.5 miles for high school students.
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Manipulating time and space to optimize system design sets a foundation for efficiency in special-education transportation. Here is an introduction to the concept and three examples in which its application could have saved countless dollars.
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Clear communication is also essential to a solid working relationship between these groups of employees. In-service or safety meetings provide an opportunity for growth in these areas by allowing drivers to learn about their buses and ask the techs questions. Drivers must also be proactive in reporting maintenance concerns.
Read More →Seattle Public Schools’ board members sign off on a transportation plan for 2014-15 that includes shifting bus arrival times back by about 10 minutes (a previous proposal called for adding 10 minutes to the start time of middle and high schools). Also, board members approve ending transportation service to option school students who live outside that school’s middle school attendance area, among other measures.
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Walla Walla (Wash.) School District won matching funds from the state to obtain funds for a facility to support a cooperative that serves three school district transportation departments, and it hasn't cost taxpayers additional tax dollars. The Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative provides vehicle maintenance at a fraction of the cost of local shops as well as a driver training program that saves districts staff and time.
Read More →Sarasota County Schools builds the depot in North Port, Fla., which the transportation director says reduces the number of empty miles the drivers had been traveling from the old depot to their first and last pickups of the day. Pickup times and routes aren’t expected to change.
Read More →Tennessee’s Metro Nashville Public Schools restructured the department last fall, and officials say the number of late morning buses has decreased 69% since Oct. 1, and the number of late afternoon buses has decreased 28%. Customer service and turnaround time on bus repairs have also improved.
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