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Bus change means better service for schools, drivers

By Clare Jensen

Tacoma students will be getting a new ride to school.

Tacoma school board unanimously approved a switch in bus services at a board meeting April 8.

As a five-year contract with current school bus service First Student is coming to an end soon, Tacoma School District put out a request for proposals in January 2008.

A district evaluation team consisting of Sue Race, director of transportation, Mike Fletcher, transportation supervisor, Jennifer Kubista, director of athletics and activities, Zeek Edmond, principal of Fawcett Elementary School, Don Llyod, director of elementary support and Shaun Taylor, executive director of technology services, evaluated proposals from two school bus services.

They opted for Durham School Services to take over the transportation operation, rather than keeping the current company, First Student.

Durham’s cost proposal is 5.3 percent higher than First Student’s bid, but they sold the evaluation team through their commitment to service.

Durham went above and beyond when it came to addressing the district’s concerns, such as driver retention, personnel management, driver performance management, bus cleanliness and maintenance, support for extra-curricular activity trips, and driver safety.

Current district drivers will have an opportunity to apply for positions, and it is expected that about 90 percent of drivers will carry over from First Student to Durham.

“They (Durham) have assured us that they will hire all current bus drivers who meet the qualifications,” said Chief Financial Officer Ron Hack.

Durham also included a greater salary and benefits package for drivers, which should increase driver retention.

The contract between Durham and the school district is expected to result in about $800,000 additional revenue for the district over the five-year contract because of proposed operating efficiencies as well as new buses Durham will purchase.

Hack said the district is also planning to hire at least one additional bus driver to help with “prime time” (morning and afternoon) field trip travel.

Interim Superintendent Art Jarvis said the district is looking into the possibility of changing the school bell schedule to eliminate the need to release middle school students 20-40 minutes early for extra-curricular activities. That will also eliminate the need to hire additional drivers.

Annual contract costs for the initial year of the contract are estimated at $720,000 higher than the current year, which is at approximately $5 million.

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