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School board approves transportation overhaul while drivers warn of safety and jobs risks
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Education adopted a broad transportation resolution directing a value‑based, open-ended RFP process and partnerships to reduce costs and shift to sustainable transit. Bus drivers and unions urged explicit safety and labor protections, warning the RFP—s open language could invite gig workers and undermine experienced drivers.
The San Francisco Board of Education on Tuesday adopted a sweeping resolution directing district staff to pursue a value-based, open-ended request for proposals to redesign student transportation and reduce what the district identified as roughly $33 million in annual transportation spending.
The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Maliga, directs staff to explore streamlined bell schedules, partner with city agencies and transportation authorities, and issue an RFP that asks bidders to propose routing, technology and parking solutions rather than prescribing a fixed number of buses or routes. "District staff must seek out more creative and holistic transportation options through an open ended request for proposal that allows transportation providers an opportunity to demonstrate how to improve service to the district and to students at lower costs," the resolution reads.
Why it matters: Transportation is one of the district—s largest line items. Board members described the resolution as an effort to find long-term savings and improve service, but the plan drew heavy public scrutiny.
Drivers and labor representatives urged the board to add explicit student-safety and labor protections to any contracting process. Meg Feltz, a school bus driver, said the resolution—s open-ended language "seems to further open the door for an increase in the utilization of gig workers, and in doing so, compromises the safety of children and promotes the further exploitation of already marginalized workers." Other speakers asked the board to require bidder commitments to unionized labor or prevailing wages and to preserve nearby yard and fleet arrangements.
Board response and outcome: Supporters of the resolution said staff will include safety and experience in a best-value scoring system. Staff told the board that safety metrics and points for contractor experience and safety history would be part of the evaluation, and that the district would not bring forward a vendor recommendation if safety standards were not met. Commissioners discussed using project labor agreements and requiring bidders to meet prevailing-wage standards.
After debate, the board adopted the resolution by roll call (7 ayes), instructing staff to pursue the RFP process, coordinate with SFMTA and SFCTA, and return with contract recommendations and progress updates. The board also directed staff to craft a selection process that allows oral presentations from bidders and public presentation of the selection panel—s evaluation.
What—s next: Staff will prepare the open-ended RFP and convene a selection panel. The resolution calls for the board to receive recommended contracts that aim to reduce costs while protecting student safety and honoring labor-management principles.
Public comment highlights: Drivers, union leaders and parents repeatedly asked that student safety be made explicit in the resolution language and that contracting emphasize stable, well-trained drivers rather than app-based gig work. "Missing from this resolution are any statements regarding student safety, which should be a paramount concern," Feltz said during public comment.
The board, staff and labor leaders said they would continue negotiations and that RFP terms would be shaped with safety and labor protections in mind.
