GCS TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Multi Tier Scheduling Update Alternatives to Yellow Bus Only Transportation Policy Biodiesel Presentation
Multi Tier Scheduling Update 27 buses identified to be removed from service Coordinated with NCDPI Buses eligible for replacement during the upcoming year were not removed from service. 22 Permanent Bus Drivers Assigned to Transportation Zones where Vacancies Existed Bus drivers given the opportunity to request assignments Seniority played a vital role in the re assignment of drivers Bus drivers will have the opportunity to apply for positions as vacancies allow 4 Buses added back into the fleet to overcome student capacity concerns and extended ride times. 2 buses added at Southern Middle 1 bus added at Eastern High 1 bus added for Southern Academy and magnet school students MULTI TIER SCHEDULING UPDATE
Cost Savings Multi Tier Scheduling Operating Cost 4 buses 4 buses x $20,575 = $82,300 Capital Savings = $350,000 Additional school buses will not have to be added to the fleet, thus not requiring capital expenses to cover capacity and travel time concerns. COST SAVINGS Operating Budget Savings 2011/2012 = $706,000.00 Capital Budget Savings 2012/2013 = $350,000.00 Total Budgetary Savings = $1,056,000.00
Transporting Students School Buses Legislative History School Bus Safety Amendments of 1974 School transportation should be held to the highest level of safety Transporting the Nation s most precious cargo children who represent our future School buses should be as safe as possible minimum safety standards established TRANSPORTING STUDENTS Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for School Buses The U.S. Federal government has created 37 standards which apply to school buses. Four of these standards apply specifically to school buses. School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices School Bus Rollover Protection School Bus Body Joint Strength School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection
Transporting Students North Carolina General Statute 115C 53 Any local board of education may enter into a contract for the transportation of pupils. Any vehicle used shall be constructed and equipped as provided in rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education. When transporting 16 students or less in a vehicle or automobile, the vehicle shall not be required to be constructed and equipped according to school bus standards, but shall be constructed and equipped pursuant to rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education. TRANSPORTING STUDENTS NC State Board of Education Policy TCS H 000(7) Contract vehicles shall at all times while school pupils are being transported, meet the requirements of the Division of Motor Vehicles safety inspection regulations.
Transporting Students Federal regulations require any van with a capacity of more than 10, that is sold or leased for the use as a school bus is to meet the safety standards applicable to school buses. National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Transporting the Nation s School Children The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation believes that the safest way to transport children to and from school and school related activities is in a school bus. Transit buses are required to meet certain FMVSSs as school buses, however, transit buses are not required to meet the series of FMVSSs that are designed to make school buses more crashworthy and provide high levels of crash protection to passengers. Funding Constraints Parents and transportation professional must recognize that alternative modes of transporting students to and from school are being used and the safety of students transported by these modes must not be compromised. TRANSPORTING STUDENTS
Current GCS Standards GCS Student Transportation Guidelines Any school/student activity or experience that is related to the school in any way must include transportation provided by the school system transportation department or any other vehicle that meets federal standards for school buses. Local insurance coverage is not classified for the purpose of transporting students in system owned cars or vans. Insurance coverage would have to be classified at a high rate for such practices. TRANSPORTING STUDENTS Past Practices Until 2001 GCS utilized taxis, vans and cars to transport special needs students A series of situations which compromised the safety of students prompted the guidelines to only use vehicles which meet school bus safety standards.
School Bus Facts 2002 Special Report 269 National Research Council : The Relative Risks of School Travel More than 800 students are killed going to and from school annually 448 fatalities in passenger vehicles with a teenage driver 169 fatalities in passenger vehicles with an adult driver 131 fatalities to pedestrians 46 fatalities to bicyclists 15 pedestrian fatalities at school bus stops 5 fatalities in school buses SCHOOL BUS FACTS School Bus Information Council Reports Deaths per 100,000,000 passenger miles Passenger Cars 0.94 Scheduled Airlines 0.06 Passenger Trains 0.04 School Buses 0.01
Transportation Alternatives to School Buses Contract Companies Non School Bus Use Example: American Logistics Company Proposes to reduce the cost of transporting special needs students with conforming vehicles by 20 to 30%. Subcontracts transportation to local transportation providers. Companies use various forms of vehicles taxis, sedans, passenger vans (less than 10 capacity), specialty equipped vans (wheelchair accessible), conforming vehicles (buses), medical transport vehicles Favorable recommendations from school districts. Alex Robinson, former Transportation Director for San Diego Unified, I do recommend ALC (American Logistics Co.) They will use the type of vehicle the district specifies usually but that can be either buses or taxis or medical transport, depending on the type of student. It s similar to a subcontract it was perfect for some of our non public and private special ed. students. ALC did not bid on the current contract GCS specifications require vehicles which meet school bus standards TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES TO SCHOOL BUSES
City Transit Bus Service GCS currently purchases bus passes for middle college students students who attend classes outside of the GCS schedule. Federal Law prohibits the use of city transit bus services to subsidize student transportation services to public schools Greensboro and High Point Transit Authorities School district can purchase passes for GCS students Students can board and de board at established bus stop locations service limited in comparison to GCS service provided $25.00 per 31 consecutive day pass, unlimited rides Approximately $250.00 per student annually. GCS cost per traditional student is $529.00 (2010 11) Capacity concerns during peak hours early morning and late afternoon HEAT Connects to local colleges and universities paid for by local colleges and universities TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES TO SCHOOL BUSES
Oil for Bio Fuel ECO Solutions Eco Solutions is a renewable energy company Biodiesel NC Waste Cooking Oil Assessment Guilford County 30,155 gallons of waste cooking oil per week Benefits of Biodiesel Lower cost of fuel Reduction in pollutants Renewable energy Waste cooking oil Healthier choice for children Boost to the local economy OIL FOR BIO FUEL Community Involvement & Cooperation Collects and reuses waste oil Produces by product feed for pig farmers Biodiesel by product produces fertilizer or weed killer School participation educational opportunity with NCA&T Future co op program with local farmers
Oil for Bio Fuel Flow Chart Step 1 Restaurant Owner Donates or sales used cooking oil Step 2 School District Collects used oil and processes into biodiesel Step 3 Local Farmer Picks up oil by product for pigs BIO FUEL FLOW CHART Step 4 Maintenance Department Uses biodiesel by product as fertilizer or weed killer depends on process Step 5 School District Mixes biodiesel with diesel fuel and uses it in school buses and other diesel engine vehicles and machinery B20 Fuel. Can use up to 100% biodiesel as fuel. Step 6 Eco Solutions Collects tax credits and Green Carbon credits from the Federal government based on the amount of biodiesel used. Donates a portion of the credits to GCS.
Oil for Bio Fuel Budgetary Benefits GCS uses 1.6 million gallons of diesel fuel per year GCS uses 8,500 gallons per operational school day Diesel fuel average cost 2010/2011 $2.67 Diesel fuel cost per gallon State Contract $3.12 B20 fuel cost per gallon State Contract $3.35 Cost to produce biodiesel per gallon $2.25 Cost analysis biodiesel blend B20 Production of 1,000 gallons biodiesel $2,250 Diesel fuel 4,000 gallons $10,680 B20 = 80% Diesel Fuel + 20% Biodiesel Donation of Credits from Eco Solutions = $1.60 x 1,000 = $1,600 Cost of 5,000 gallons B20 $12,930 $1,600 = $11,330 Cost of 5,000 gallons diesel fuel $13,350 ($2.67 gal) GCS Saves $2,020 per day or $363,600 per year BIOFUEL BUDGETARY BENEFITS
Oil for Bio Fuel Costs and Investments Biodiesel Equipment $475,000 5,000 Square Foot Facility $495,000 Yearly Operational Costs $112,000 Return on Investment 2.7 years RETURN ON INVESTMENT