School Bus Transportation Optimization Pilot Study

School Bus Transportation Optimization Pilot Study

Product No.: 07022
Date Published: 01/2007

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This report documents a study of student transportation in Camden County, where the high cost of student transportation has become a political issue. The focus is on choices that are within the control of individual school districts. Methods of improving the efficiency of school bus operations are identified. Policy choices by school districts that also impact costs, specifically courtesy busing and contracting out service, are described. These have been addressed by an informal survey of student transportation professionals. Examples of best practice from school districts across the state of New Jersey are presented. These examples can serve as models for Camden County school districts. One Camden County school district is used as the subject of the study; statistical data from other Camden County school districts is also used. This work is intended to complement existing analyses on the high cost of student transportation in New Jersey. For example, allegations of collusion among New Jersey school bus contractors have been documented in at least one report by the state.

Geographic Area Covered: Lindenwold School District (Lindenwold Borough) in Camden County, New Jersey

Key Words: Best practice, busing for hazard, contracting, contractor rate, courtesy busing, district-owned transportation, educational services commission (ESC), institutional agreement, joint transportation agreement, late bus, New Jersey Department of Education, New Jersey DOT Local Aid Program, nonpublic school, optimization, school bus, school bus route, sidewalk, state mandate, subscription busing, subscription fee, school district, special education, student transportation, tiering, Transportation Enhancements, vehicle utilization, walking route.

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