We keep detailed records of every cost associated with transportation.  Our records include the following:  mileage per vehicle, depreciation of each vehicle, total cost of all fuels, lubricants, parts, service, and employee salaries.  These numbers are reported to the Texas Education Agency along with the number of students transported and number of miles driven.  In turn, we receive a cost per mile to operate a bus.  The most current number we have is $3.70 for a Regular Needs bus and $2.92 for a Special Needs bus.  The total mileage when these numbers were calculated was 1.2 million miles.  This approximate four million dollar cost is shared with the State through allotments.

In our effort to be more efficient we try to maximize the number of students on each bus—the more students we are able to transport on one bus—the more taxpayer money we save.

The two-mile walk zone is established by the State.  If we transport any students living within two-miles we do not receive any monetary assistance from the State. 

All of our routing is accomplished using the routing software package Transfinder.  When we build a route, student safety is our number one priority.  We try to plan in such a way that the majority of the students do not have to cross the street to get to the bus doors.  We also plan with efficiency in mind.  The mapping software provides ‘recommendations’ on efficient routing that we use after taking safety into consideration.  Other factors we consider are:  does the bus have to back-up at any point, is the bus overloaded with students, and how long will it take to run a route.

Changing stops is difficult for several reasons.  The stops are carefully reviewed during planning to ensure student safety.  Additionally, we evaluate whether or not a change impacts efficient routing.  It is also a matter of consistency-if we change a stop for a specific ‘reason’ anywhere in the District—we are subject to making that same change for anyone else.  There can be a ripple effect throughout the whole system when we make changes.

The three-bell system is a great way to maximize resources.  A single bus can do a first bell Elementary, a second bell Jr. High, and a third bell High School.  Currently we are running about 70 buses transporting approximately 6,000 students a day.  This would not be possible on a one or even two-bell schedule.

First, a prospective employee must go through the licensing process at DPS to get a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (similar to the process you follow to get your own Driver’s License).  There is both a written and behind-the-wheel (of the bus) test.  The Transportation Department has a trainer who assists in the licensing procedure.  In addition, the driver is required to pass a “P” (Passenger) endorsement and an “S” (School Bus) endorsement test.  Both of these tests involve safe and secure operations of the bus.  Next, the driver must attend a 20-hour certification course (with an eight-hour renewal every three years).  Again, safe operation of the bus is the main focus.  After these steps are taken the driver must pass a thorough medical evaluation in which physical limitations are assessed and any medications taken are evaluated.  Finger printing and criminal history checks are included in the overall process.  After all of this is accomplished, the Transportation Department has some internal training the new driver must receive as well as passing a check-out ride with our trainer.  When the new driver is finally cleared to drive their own route, we have an ‘experienced’ driver ride along for a bit—just to make sure the kids are in good hands.  All in all it is quite a process.

For the most part, yes, we do.  Team Transportation has an amazing group of six mechanics that can fix just about any problem.  There are some mechanical problems we have to take to a vendor—like warranty work, frame work, and painting, but for the most part it is handled in-house.   Considering our fleet of buses do about a million miles a year—the mechanics are miracle workers.  In addition to the mechanic shop we have a drive-through bus washing facility, underground fuel storage tanks, and a truck outfitted to handle bus problems on the road. 

Sure.  As mentioned in an earlier question, we operate on a three-bell system—with each bus supporting three different schools.  Rarely is a delay caused by a bus issue.  We have spare buses ready to roll and if the primary bus is having problems--we can have the spare bus on the road in minutes.  Buses running late can be caused by a combination of things—all of them innocent.  For example—traffic is bad, there is an accident, trains (or the stop arm is down for no reason), construction zones—all situations that can happen even when you drive your own car.  If a bus driver is delayed on the first bell due to a detour, and maybe a student is running a couple of minutes late on the second bell, and there was a slow train on the way to drop off at the third bell—yes, that bus may be late.  We try to maintain a balance in operations.  We don’t want to pick the kids up any earlier than we have too, but we also don’t want them late to school.  Most days the balancing act works well—occasionally it doesn’t…

There are restrictions on the size of the instrument, or any other item, they want to bring on the bus.  The restrictions are specifically put into place for safety.  The requirement is for the instrument to fit securely in the student’s lap.  Anything not ‘secured’ on the bus could become a danger if the bus has to stop quickly. For band instruments, Please see the student handbook or see attached list Many times it is not just the instrument causing an issue.  If the student has a big book bag, for example, and a larger instrument—keeping both in their lap becomes a problem.  Priority one of our bus drivers is the safety of ALL students on their bus.  Within reason, our drivers try to accommodate students needing to transport items to and from school.