This is all that most people want to talk about.  It’s the issue most blown up by the media, it’s the one I heard most about while running, it’s the one Chris Kelly leads off with whenever he calls.

As Directors Duffy and Popil, in particular, have pointed out, the $18.9 million that the state shortchanges us is far greater than what we’d save on the bus contract (our overall budget is $166 million, fyi).  We’ve tried to get the media to focus on that issue as well, to some success.  The other thing people don’t realize is that there are actually two busing contracts, one with DeNaples and one with Red Top.  We also get reimbursement from the state (which is inadequate, as per the usual with the state).  So while it seems like the biggest overarching issue, being shortchanged by the state is far more of a financial challenge.

That said, we have to be responsible with the contract.  It’s a mess and shouldn’t have been extended.  All contracts should be bid, period.

No, I’ve not seen the missing piece of the contract.  PFM, the financial manager appointed by the state, says the contract is valid.  My position is that I do not want to do anything that’ll get us sued, since God knows we consistently get sued into oblivion.  I also have been waiting for the plan’s initiative regarding transportation, and now we have it.  So here goes:

• Improve route efficiency.  The district has software to make bus routes make sense.  As such, we should be able to see a reduction in bus routes, which means a reduction in costs.  In fact, over the life of the plan, the expected savings is $2.6 million.  The plan also calls for regular re-evaluation on a quarterly basis, which makes sense given regularly shifting populations and needs.
• Have a Transportation Manager.  We have one.  But the plan indicates that more training is needed for our current manager.  The plan pretty directly states that if things don’t work out with how things are, the job will be reassigned.
• REBID THE CONTRACTS.  The one we’ve all been waiting for.  Red Top is up in 2020, so next year it goes out to bid.  DeNaples is up in 2022, but it seems as though there may be wiggle room to bid earlier (this isn’t clearly stated in the plan, but was indicated in Dr. Finan’s presentation).  Bidding should save $1.2 million over five years.  The other important provision is to rebid every 3-5 years.  I’d say every 3.  Let vendors compete.
• Establish a Transportation Advisory Committee.  I would normally react to this by saying it’s a bit much, but given the history of problems in this area, it’s best that a committee keep an eye on the district.  There is also a provision that the Board representative actually show up.  I’m guessing Dr. Finan noticed that some members don’t bother to come to meetings.
• Increase Subsidies.  The state reimburses the district for some of its transportation costs.  It’s not enough, because it’s tied to miles.  Guess what?  Urban districts don’t drive as much, but the buses still cost the same.  So, as usual, the state screws Scranton over.  But evidently there are ways we can increase subsidies, and the plan suggests we do what little we can.  It doesn’t quite explain what those are, so I’ll be happy to see them.  This will occur annual every June 30th.

One thing I did not see that I would like to would be a cost-out of what it would take to in-house busing.  We lease the buses, we have maintenance people get their CDLs up at CDC.  Director Popil suggested this and it deserves a look.  I’ll bring it up to the Recovery Officer when we meet.