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District transportation study: current fleet of 41 buses would require four additional paid buses (seven extra vehicles at peak) for proposed high school
Summary
The district's transportation study estimates adding seven buses to serve the proposed high school location but, because of the district's tiered payment model, the district would pay for about four additional large buses; staff said ride times should remain at or under the 45-minute policy limit and one additional special-education minibus would be needed.
At the March 16 operations committee meeting, Mr. Barone presented a transportation analysis tied to the proposed new high school site that estimates the district would need seven additional large buses to cover new routes but, under the district’s tiering payment model, that would translate into paying for roughly four additional large buses. Barone said the district currently pays for 41 large buses.
"We pay for 41 buses ... when we go to this location, we would add 7 additional buses," Barone said, then explained the tiering effect: "So that's why when we add 7 buses ... it is the cost of 4 additional buses because of ... tiers." He also said the district would need one more minibus for special education and that 17 existing vans would likely be sufficient.
Committee members asked about average ride times and wording in the report. Belizzi said the bus company did not provide a single average ride time because routes will change, but that the company expects only a "slight or no increase" on most routes and does not anticipate rides exceeding the district's 45-minute limit. A committee member said the report's phrasing on route timing was "misleading and really inaccurate" for parts of the study and urged a more detailed circulation review when design reaches 60%.
Board members suggested operational changes that could reduce ride time, including consolidating stops (corner stops instead of house-by-house stops), limiting routing into cul-de-sacs, creating separate parent-drop loops and reviewing exceptions currently granted by central office. Mr. Votto emphasized safety as the top priority but said fewer stops and different stop placement could reduce run time.
Staff and board members repeatedly noted the estimates are based on current student counts and emphasized the numbers could change as enrollment and route patterns evolve; Belizzi added final circulation and route details will be revisited closer to the 60% design stage.
