RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - School bus drivers contracted by the Rutherford County Schools are busy throughout the academic year transporting students, to and from school… That was county school director Jimmy Sullivan. Buses are becoming more expensive and the drivers contracted with the county schools are seeing increased costs as well. Currently, bus drivers are negotiating a significant contract pay raise of about 35% to cover their costs and still receive a paycheck.

During a County School Board meeting in January, Barbara Donnell, a Trustee with the Rutherford County Bus Organization, emphasized that drivers cannot continue to operate efficiently without a raise. The organization represents approximately 70% of all bus contractors for the county. The proposed increase would likely add between $2,000 and $2,500 monthly to each school bus contract.

According to the director of schools, the cost of providing transportation is higher than many people realize… The overall cost to operate the Transportation department adds up quickly and the requested 35% contract increase would tack-on millions of dollars to the $30+million the county already funnels into their school transportation department annually.

Donnell pointed out that it's more economical for the schools to negotiate a contract increase, as opposed to the county purchasing its own bus fleet and hiring drivers. She explained that hiring employees and providing benefits, along with maintaining a bus fleet, would be significantly more expensive for the county.

In years past, the State of Tennessee helped cover the expense of student transportation, but that is no longer the case…

BUS AIDES: Some bus routes are also in need of bus aides. Of course, that would be another expense on top of the regular bus contract. When WGNS asked Director Sullivan about the possibility of adding a bus aide to each route, he stated… While putting an extra person on each bus would prove to be too costly, there is a chance that aides could be added to several bus routes that have a higher need for additional help in the county.

STATE LEGISLATION: Meanwhile, at the state level, State Representative Mike Sparks from Smyrna is advocating for a bill to lower the legal age for school bus drivers in Tennessee… Sparks proposed that individuals as young as 21, who hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), should be eligible to drive school buses. This measure aims to expand the pool of potential drivers in areas like Rutherford County.

THE RISING COST OF AN AMERICAN SCHOOL BUS: The rising costs of school buses represent a significant challenge for districts across America, particularly as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduces stricter regulations. The EPA is promoting the adoption of zero-emission school buses. According to Caterpillar, a major manufacturer of heavy equipment, the cost of electric school buses that seat between 79 to 90 students ranges from $320,000 to $440,000, which is $180,000 to $280,000 more than diesel alternatives. Diesel buses of the same capacity cost about $160,000.

Financing a $320,000 electric school bus at a 7.5% interest rate over 15 years would result in monthly payments of approximately $3,000. In contrast, financing a $160,000 diesel bus would cost around $1,500 per month. Additionally, drivers must account for expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and their own salaries, further compounding financial considerations for the district and the drivers.