Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Transportation director flags fuel-price swings, unveils new bus tech and safety upgrades
Summary
Director Andy Rezer reported large swings in gas and diesel prices since the school year began, previewed rollout of Zonar tablets and new safety systems on incoming buses, and said the department has 95 drivers (12 newly hired, five in training) and will implement dispatch/payroll integration to reduce overtime.
Transportation Director Andy Rezer told the board May 21 that fuel prices have swung widely this school year and that the department is preparing for new buses and technology to improve safety and operations.
Rezer showed monthly purchase-price averages since August and said gasoline peaked at about $4.48 per gallon and fell to $2.14 at its low point; diesel ranged from roughly $2.81 to $6.12 per gallon in the same span. "We had a huge swing from March on...it went up in a rapid rapid increase," he said, noting that the district expects to be near the top end of its budget for fuel but does not anticipate exceeding it.
Rezer described new technology coming to the fleet: a parent app that provides GPS alerts for students' stops and the deployment of Zonar tablets (eight-inch removable tablets) on new buses to digitize federally required pre- and post-trip inspections. He said the district will phase out older diesel buses and that new vehicles include crash-avoidance systems, front/back cameras tied to crossing‑gate deployment, a driver airbag, a smaller steering wheel for ergonomics and three-point seat belts in front rows on the incoming buses.
On staffing, Rezer reported 95 drivers employed, 12 hires this year and five in training, with 89 full routes planned; he said the department experiences attendance and call-off challenges on some days but expected improved coverage heading into the next school year. He also described a dispatch system integration with payroll that will eliminate paper time sheets and better control overtime costs.
Board members asked clarifying questions about staffing and implementation; Rezer and staff said many safety improvements are already on the new vehicles arriving in July and that electronic inspections will reduce paperwork and improve audit visibility.
