Haverhill Committee reviews transportation disruptions, underused swipe-on system and rising costs
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Summary
District transportation officials told the School Committee that NRT service disruptions and driver shortages are causing frequent late routes and double-ups; the bus swipe-on/swipe-off system is underused despite a recurring annual cost of more than $20,000, and committee members urged better data collection and vendor accountability.
Superintendent Dr. Morata and Director of Transportation Liz Kanata briefed the School Committee on Feb. 27 about ongoing issues with the districtbus contract operated by NRT, usage of the student swipe-on/swipe-off system and growing transportation costs.
Kanata said the district receives twice-daily reports from NRT showing which routes were covered as planned and which required changes because of driver absences or vehicle problems. Dispatchers then notify affected families. "We are not getting the amount of swiping on and off that we would like," Kanata said, adding that the district has tried incentives for drivers and students but usage remains low.
Dr. Morata told members the swipe software costs "over $20,000 a year" and that replacement swipe cards also carry a per-card cost. Committee members said they want specific usage data before deciding whether to continue paying the annual fee. Committee member Dr. Storey asked for data on how often the system is used and by whom; Dr. Morata said the district will provide usage statistics.
Members and staff described frequent service disruptions and late buses. Committee member Miss Sullivan pressed for detailed tracking of absent NRT drivers and data showing whether underuse of the swipe system is concentrated on particular buses or across the system. Kanata said the district tracks its own staff attendance but does not control NRT employee attendance records; the district has asked NRT for better reporting.
The committee was also shown categories of high-cost routes such as out-of-district special-education transport, DCF (foster-care) placements and McKinney-Vento (homeless) placements. The presenters said the state provides partial reimbursement for some transportation categories but the net costs are volatile and a budget challenge. Committee members called the rising transportation costs a statewide problem tied to a shrinking pool of private carriers and driver shortages.
The committee asked staff to assemble more granular data on swipe usage (by route and by student), NRT driver absences and the districtcredit/penalty history with the vendor so the committee can weigh continuing the swipe system and discuss stronger vendor accountability.