These are tough times for school transportation managers. Money is tight, expenses are growing, and many districts are struggling to even keep enough buses and drivers on the road.
For many districts, outsourcing student transportation could be the answer - especially if shared transportation services aren't an option. This is a big change, and means giving up a lot of control over your buses, but there are situations where it could be the right move.
Four Times Outsourcing Bus Services Makes Sense
1 - You can't find enough drivers
The bus driver shortage crisis is real, and ongoing. Most districts just don't have the resources and clout to pull in enough drivers. A third party provider, on the other hand, would have the ability to pay more and offer better benefits - making it much more likely that they'll have the staff you need to fulfill your transportation obligations.
2 - Your fleet is aging and expenses are piling up
A good bus can easily last 10-20 years on the road, but as it ages, maintenance costs go up while fuel efficiency goes down. It's easy to get into a trap where you can't afford new buses, because the old buses have become money pits. But with an outsourced provider, you'll have access to a modernized fleet, even electric vehicles, and all maintenance costs fall on the third party.
3 - You can't provide for students' special needs
What if, for example, a wheelchair-bound student moves into your district, but you lack wheelchair-ready buses? Shared transportation services might be able to solve the problem, but if not, an outsourced bus service would undoubtedly have the vehicles you need to ensure the special-needs child has safe transportation.
4 - You need a fast cash infusion
This is an extreme move, but could be worth considering if your district has a budget shortfall. If a third party is handling all your bus services, do you really need to keep your existing fleet? Selling off the old buses could potentially bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars, fairly quickly and easily, depending on the fleet's condition.
Of course, that would lock you into third-party bus services, so it's not a decision to make lightly.
BusBoss can help! We have over 25 years' experience helping districts streamline, modernize, and improve their bus systems. From better routing to accounting software that can handle shared transportation or outsourced bus services, we're here to keep your buses running.
Please contact us to learn more about our services.
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