Committee approves new bus contract; transportation costs rise about $150,000 vs. budget
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Summary
The committee approved a new regional bus contract that the district said increased costs from the prior arrangement; budgeted 2026 transportation costs were $2,423,000 while the new contract is estimated at $2,573,000 and two buses were eliminated from the fleet.
The Bristol Warren Regional School Committee voted to approve a new transportation contract after reviewing bids and discussing cost implications on April 21.
District staff said the new contract reflects market changes and partner district participation. "Unfortunately, the cost did go up to 16%," the presenter said, noting prior rates had been unchanged for five years. The district had budgeted $2,423,000 for transportation in 2026; the contract presented would cost about $2,573,000, leaving a roughly $150,000 shortfall to be addressed through partnerships and routes.
The administration discussed collaborating with neighboring towns (Tiverton, Little Compton, Middletown and later Barrington) to share routes and reduce per‑student cost, and said that some out‑of‑district special‑education transportation could be grouped to reduce statewide vendor costs. The contract as recommended would also reduce the district fleet by two buses (from 19 to 17).
Committee members asked about vendor participation and whether common carriers (e.g., First Student) would serve multiple towns; district staff said First Student would provide in‑district special‑education transportation and was evaluating combined routes for out‑of‑district placements.
The committee moved and approved the motion to accept the new transportation contract on a voice vote.
Next steps: administration will monitor costs, pursue partnerships with neighboring districts to limit the budget impact and report back to the committee on financial effects of the new contract.
