Chartiers Valley considers outsourcing transportation services

Chartiers Valley School District is considering outsourcing its transportation services.

The school board Nov. 26 voted 5-3 to solicit bids for outsourcing its school bus transportation services. A statement released by the district cited rising operational costs, labor shortages and challenges of maintaining an in-house transportation program in making the decision.

“While this process will allow us to explore all options, no final decision has been made about outsourcing transportation services,” said Darren Mariano, school board president, in a statement.

“The board will thoroughly review all proposals submitted and discuss how it will move forward later next year. Throughout this process, we remain committed to transparency and engaging with our community.”

The decision spurred pushback from residents and transportation employees, who say in-house transportation services provide better safety and stability for students and families than an outsourced company.

The request for proposals, according to the district’s statement, will include requirements for safety, punctuality and customer service. Vendors must also comply with standards for driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance and emergency protocols.

The request for proposals also would allow current CVSD drivers the opportunity to work with any selected vendor, the district’s statement said.

The district operates a fleet of 70 buses and employs 77 transportation staff — which includes drivers, mechanics and administrative personnel. It serves about 3,400 students daily in Bridgeville, Collier, Heidelberg and Scott.

District officials said they plan to release the request for proposals when completed. It anticipates reviewing proposals and providing updates by early spring.