District bus vendor updates board on fleet and driver shortages; staff cites $1.1M annual bus budget

Representatives from DS Bus gave the board an operations update covering fleet condition, air conditioning, and driver staffing.

Russell Lancos (introduced to the board as DS Bus’s representative) and a staff member identified as Brad detailed route counts, replacement plans and staffing. Board members asked whether smaller buses or retrofits would be cost-effective; DS Bus staff noted retrofit costs reported from another district at roughly $15,000 per bus and said the district currently budgets about "1,100,000.0 a year on buses." The district has roughly 78–79 routes, and the vendor’s goal is to keep buses younger than 10 years old by replacing about 10 buses a year when budget allows.

On air conditioning, staff said the last two years’ purchases included AC on most new buses; they estimated about 24–25 air-conditioned route buses and noted special-needs lift buses already had AC. Retrofits remain an option for some relatively newer vehicles.

Staff also described driver staffing challenges: multiple long-term absences, a pipeline of trainees and substitutes (several in behind-the-wheel training or screening), and several recently hired/trained drivers expected to increase substitute capacity in coming weeks. One staff member summarized ongoing recruitment difficulties: "We're still having trouble to find drivers." The vendor said they are communicating absences as early as possible and working to cover routes when they can.

Board and staff agreed to gather additional operational data requested by members, including mileage per bus for Ward 4 routes and clarification of individual route lengths.