A line of brand-new First Student awaits the start of school on Aug. 27 (K-9).
The end of August brings a new year, new schedules, and for the first time in years, new buses.
First Student Bus Company, the largest bus company in North America, will replace previous company Baumann & Sons, saving the district half a million dollars.
According to the company website, First Student serves in 600 locations and 1,400 school districts.
“Because we are the largest provider of student transportation in North America,” said Vinnie Capiello, First Student’s area general manager, “our economies of scale provide access to new parts, fuel, buses, etc. at rates an individual district or other companies are unable to realize.
“Our streamlined internal processes also allow us to operate at maximum efficiency, thus reducing costs.”
The reasons for switching companies were “strictly financial,” said Rick Lupinacci, district transportation manager.
“It’s just a new contract,” he said. “It’s just a different name on the bus.”
The contract is set for five years, increasing in cost about 2.7% every year, according to Paul Hendrickson, school business manager.
The previous contract with Baumann, dating from 2003, was originally for five years, but was later extended until 2013.
Under the new contract, the transportation budget will drop from $5.4 million to around $4.9 million — bringing it below 2010-11 levels.
Mr. Hendrickson said that the half million in savings are not being reallocated to other areas of the budget, but are “just being saved.”
He stressed that the new contract is a positive change.
“They’re saving money, they’re getting new buses, they’re getting cameras to enhance student safety, they’re keeping on bus drivers…and the routes aren’t changing significantly.”
First Student has rehired almost all of the drivers Baumann employed, “with the exception of four or five who left to pursue other opportunities,” Mr. Hendrickson said.
Mr. Capiello said that First Student prefers to hire drivers who have previously served the district because “they are a tremendous asset…they know the riders, routes, and community.”
He confirmed that First Student will use new buses this year.
“Parents and students will see a difference on the first day of school when a brand new school bus pulls up to their bus stop,” he said. “We are adding 50 new buses to our fleet, and will install additional safety features.”
These features include “GPS tracking systems, the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system designed to ensure no child is left unattended on a bus, and crossing gates to allow children to cross in front of the bus at a safe distance.”
And yes, he said, the buses will still be yellow.
The buses will use the same interior cameras the district installed in Baumann’s fleet to monitor student and driver safety and behavior. Additional external cameras will be installed in “about half” of the buses, said Mr. Lupinacci, “based on how dangerous their routes are.”
Mr. Capiello added that while “All routes change somewhat from year to year depending on the incoming and outgoing students,” bus routes will stay the same this year apart from “normal year-after-year route adjustments.”
“We are proud to be a member of the Ridgefield community,” he said. “We are committed to delivering a high level of safety and service, and look forward to working with the district, employees, students, and parents in Ridgefield for many years to come.”