School District Transportation Supervisor Expects First Student's Contract Costs To Rise As A Result Of Laidlaw Merger

Only two months late to the merger party, Council Bluffs, Iowa School District Transportation Supervisor Mike Bell told The Daily Nonpareil that he expects their transportation costs to go up, not just because of rising fuel costs and expanded bus service in the region, but also because of less competition.

He said he expects costs to go up for a number of reasons.

"This acquisition has created one huge student transportation company, and the result will be seriously less competition and probably higher contractor rates," he said.

This was an issue that was brought up before the US Dept. of Justice to try and dissuade them from approving the merger back in October.

Wisconsin First Student Location Tries To Help Fix Their Issues

Wausau, Wisconsin: A First Student, former Laidlaw location is working with the D.C. Everest school district to shorten the amount of time a student spends on their buses.

"The main issue is that some kids are being picked up too early before their school bell. A junior high kid might be at school by 7:30 (a.m.) but gets picked up at 6:15 (a.m.) We need to be under 75 minutes."

Travis Ploman, First Student Contract Manager

Some of their remedies include adding four morning routes, and changing their agreement with the district to allow the school to open 25 minutes before the bell, instead of 10, which will allow the buses more time to drop off the students.

I'm always happy to see First Student cleaning up their act, and I hope other First locations take notice.

Original story.