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Committee approves three-year Conley transportation contract amid steep bus cost increases
Summary
After an unusually competitive RFP, the committee approved a three-year contract with Conley for school transportation; staff said Conley—id about $143,000 below the next bidder and cautioned that bus prices, insurance and wages have driven contract costs markedly higher.
The Medfield School Committee approved a three-year transportation contract with Conley covering the district's bus services after hearing staff explain a competitive but unusual bidding cycle and rising underlying costs.
Staff reported that 43 vendors downloaded the transportation RFP and three submitted bids. Conley submitted the lowest bid; staff said Conley—ame in roughly $143,000 lower than the second-lowest bidder. The district noted several long-term cost pressures that drove higher contract prices across the region: new-bus purchase prices (reported in the meeting in a $125,000–$140,000 range per bus), insurer and employee health-cost increases, higher driver wages and driver shortages, and fuel costs.
Committee budget staff asked for a three-year contract with language allowing the district to reassess market conditions in year three before deciding whether to exercise a subsequent two-year extension. That approach mirrors prior practice: the committee approved a three-year term now and will evaluate extension based on market conditions toward the contract—nd.
During discussion, committee members raised whether the district had considered owning buses directly. Staff replied that ownership introduces complexity (benefits, mechanics, insurance, management) and that lead times for newly ordered buses can be long; one district example of a neighboring community that tried to buy buses showed procurement and delivery challenges due to multi-year waiting lists.
The committee took a voice vote after discussion; the motion to accept the three-year Conley contract was approved.
What this means for the budget: staff said the new contract could increase transportation costs close to $100,000–$150,000 compared with the current year, and that the FY27 budget process will need to reflect higher operating costs. District staff will continue to monitor the market and return to the committee with any significant changes.
