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Select board asks for details on multi-year school bus contract and fuel escalators
Summary
The board discussed Article 10 to authorize a three-year transportation contract (with two one-year options) for K–8 busing and asked staff for data on fuel surcharges, potential savings between contract lengths and whether the current fleet includes electric buses.
Chair said Article 10 would authorize the select board to enter a three-year school-transportation contract beginning July 1, 2024, with two one-year extension options. Members requested comparative savings estimates for 3- versus 5-year deals, clarification about automatic fuel-surcharge escalators in the vendor contract, and whether the vendor’s fleet includes electric buses.
A board member recounted difficulties with prior fuel-surcharge pass-throughs (citing a significant surcharge from a vendor in another contract) and asked whether a multi-year contract should include guardrails such as rebates if fuel costs fall. Staff said the contract includes escalation language and that the board should ask the school department for detailed options before voting.
The board also asked for ridership data and the school’s survey results to assess route consolidation and appropriate bus sizes, noting that underused routes can inflate costs. Chair said he would gather the requested information before the next meeting.
