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Charlottesville board hears transportation contract increases; starting driver pay to rise to $23 and top rate to about $31
Summary
Officials said transportation contract costs are rising because of wages/benefits and contracted runs; staff outlined a plan needing additional vans and discussed applying for federal EV-bus grants that require local matching funds.
School and city staff described rising transportation costs driven by higher wages and benefits, reliance on contracted midday routes and a lingering driver shortage. Transport staff said the proposed contract increases reflect negotiated wage steps and an effort to rebalance 30-hour positions that routinely work 40 hours.
In a presentation to the joint session, a transportation representative said the starting hourly wage will be $23 beginning Jan. 1, with top rates reaching about $31 per hour and further small increases planned in July under the contract. The division projected student-transportation costs would rise about $786,000 in the coming year.
City and school officials also discussed fleet strategy: the division currently has two electric buses and is evaluating applying for up to two more through available grant programs, subject to a local-match requirement. City staff cautioned that rooftop-solar and full fleet conversion require complex financing and coordination, and that any accelerated EV rollout depends on available federal or state funds and upfront infrastructure investments.
Operations detail: Staff said adding roughly six vans would reduce dependence on contracted services for midday and special transportation runs; some van drivers are currently bus aides pulled from other duties. Officials urged clarifying contract reconciliation so the schools can see how vacancy savings and contract dollars are applied.
