Committee backs state bills to expand van capacity, shorten bus‑driver training amid regional transport reforms

Superintendent Riley told the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee on March 31 that the state Student Transportation Commission — formed after multiple districts raised concerns about rising transportation costs — is proposing policy changes intended to improve efficiency and cut costs.

Riley described several commission recommendations: allow larger small-vehicle capacity (from 8 to 10 passengers), maximize use of RIPTA where feasible, permit more licensed-driver reciprocity from neighboring states, and reorganize regional boundaries. "This was the recommendation that was really universally approved by the commission," Riley said of creating a sixth region that would move Bristol Warren, East Providence and Barrington out of the large Region 3, which the district estimates would reduce ridership and provide an estimated $1,100,000 in savings.

The commission discussed a staged timeline: implement region changes in two years and, two years after that, move from six regions to nine to shrink service areas and improve efficiency. Riley also described other possible savings: raising allowable passenger limits on vans from 8 to 10 could save an estimated $650,000 to $1,000,000 statewide (based on statewide rider modeling), while an earlier proposal to eliminate state-funded private-school riders was not advanced.

Following the briefing, the committee voted to send a resolution of support that endorses two pending bills: H5420/S3636 (to increase allowable small-vehicle passenger limits to 10) and S397 (to allow the division to abbreviate or reduce the school bus driver certification training for applicants who already hold a commercial driver's license). The motion was moved and seconded; the chair called the vote and members answered "Aye." The resolution will be customized with district letterhead and sent in support of the bills; committee members noted that the commission’s final recommendations would be presented April 7 and that additional resolutions could follow once bill numbers for regional redistricting are available.

No changes to district policy or immediate operational changes were enacted at the meeting; the committee’s action was limited to endorsing the two bills and asking staff to file the district resolution in support.