Transportation director: three new drivers hired, routing software deployed and older buses to be surplus

The district's transportation director reported that the department has hired three new bus drivers and completed their training through a contracted provider, easing a recent driver shortage.

"We hired 3 new drivers," the transportation director said, adding that the district contracted a trainer and put the new drivers through testing. The director said the new buses delivered this fall have been put into service after minor dealer fixes and that drivers appreciate features such as air conditioning.

Staff also updated trustees on implementation of Traversa routing software: maps have been built and staff are entering addresses, pickup points and walk zones to finalize routes. The director said surplus procedures are underway for older buses (some with more than 200,000 miles) once OSPI requirements are met; surplus vehicles are offered to other districts first and then to the public for bid. Questions from the board clarified that proceeds from bus surplus return to the transportation fund and that the district typically keeps two or three spare buses for backups.

Trustees asked about bus life expectancy and depreciation schedules; staff said expected service life is commonly 13–18 years and that surplus timing often aligns with depreciation schedules and reimbursement cycles.