Bristol Warren school district cuts two buses from fleet

A pilot rider registration program aims to save schools money

By Patrick Luce
Posted 8/23/16

The Bristol Warren Regional School District has been able to remove two school buses from the road in an attempt to save money, thanks to a pilot program asking parents to register their kids to …

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Bristol Warren school district cuts two buses from fleet

A pilot rider registration program aims to save schools money

Posted

The Bristol Warren Regional School District has been able to remove two school buses from the road in an attempt to save money, thanks to a pilot program asking parents to register their kids to ride.

Last June, the school district embarked on the program asking parents in the district for a little cooperation. Too often, half-empty buses would drive around Bristol and Warren, ferrying far fewer kids to school than they are capable. While enough buses for every student not deemed a “walker” were on the road, many non-walkers simply weren’t taking advantage of the transportation.

Superintendent Mario Andrade, Director of Finance Pauline Silva and Transportation Coordinator Eileen Ciniglio spearheaded the campaign to ask parents whether or not their kids will be riding the bus. Parents were asked to register their kids — or not, allowing the district to assess whether it needed the full complement of yellow behemoths on the road. The goal is to get an honest assessment of whether or not students intend to ride the bus, with the hope of saving taxpayers from paying for half-empty vehicles.

About 1,600 students have so far registered to ride the bus for the 2016-17 school year, according to Dr. Andrade, a reduction from the 1,750 daily riders counted in a ridership audit last year. That has allowed the district to contract for two fewer buses from First Student, the private company that provides bus service for the schools.

It’s too early to know the exact cost savings of removing the two buses, Ms. Silva said. Last year, school district officials estimated removing five buses from the road would save about $500,000. If those numbers hold true, the school district should realize about $200,000 in savings.

The district will continue to monitor the bus routes and registrations as the school year begins to make sure all students’ needs are met, Ms. Silva and Dr. Andrade said.

“We plan on being very cautious at the beginning of the school year to ensure all eligible students will access to bus transportation,” Dr. Andrade said. “We will continue to monitor the ridership and may make adjustments throughout the course of the school year.”

Bristol Warren Regional School District, Bristol Warren bus

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