For Hawaii's Students, More Private School Buses
06/17/2011
flickr: Wheany
Hawaii depends more than any other state on private companies to bus students to and from school, using contractor-owned buses nearly four times as often as other states, according to a report from "School Bus Fleet" magazine, the industry's major trade publication.
On average, one-fourth of school buses in each state were owned by private contractors in the 2008-2009 school year, the most recent time period for which state by state data is available. In Hawaii, more than 98 percent of the school buses in operation are owned and run by private companies. And because of high infrastructure and capital costs, education department officials say, the situation is unlikely to change any time soon.
Of the 35 states that provided relevant busing data, five reported no private ownership of their school buses. New Hampshire came the closest to Hawaii with about 82 percent of its buses owned by contractors.
The busing of Hawaii students to and from school recently came under scrutiny by the Hawaii Legislature, which threatened to further cut the department's transportation funding if it didn't find a way to control costs.
Busing costs have nearly doubled in the past five years, due at least in part to a lack of competition among bus companies for the contracts.
The department spends about $70 million annually.
The estimated cost per student (excluding special education students) using the buses is about $1,100, largely paid for through general funds, according to Randy Moore, assistant superintendant of school facilities and support services.
