Operations Assessment

Contracting Operations Assessment

Ready to explore contracting with First Student. The steps below will give you an idea of the basic steps to follow when considering contracting student transportation services. Feel free to contact us for additional information or assistance in your analysis.

Step 1: Conduct Cost Analysis

A cost analysis is beneficial – and eye opening. While labor is one of the largest expenditures, you must also calculate benefits, health care, training and testing, pension, workers comp, recruiting and hiring costs, uniforms and workspace costs. Similar extraneous costs, such as depreciation and insurance, should also be included when calculating the cost of your fleet. Requesting our sample cost calculator will help you analyze your operation.

Step 2: Assess Current System

Understand your existing system’s strengths and weaknesses by listing your safety performance, on-time delivery, driver shortage percentages, spare bus ratio, breakdown/defect numbers, routing and scheduling. Private contractors can often find routing efficiencies that drive cost savings and improve a district’s on-time performance. Then determine concrete goals and objectives for your new transportation system. Request a sample operational assessment here.

Step 3: Develop RFP Specifications.

Your district’s Request For Proposal (RFP) will define the required specifications for how your transportation must be managed and operated. The contract will serve as an accountability mechanism and becomes a valuable tool for your district to measure performance success over time and set long-term goals for increased efficiency. You can select specific criteria for your existing staff, fleet and other elements. Some include grandfather clauses pertaining to existing employees and fleet. Request a sample RFP here.

Get Started Now.

Whether it’s for operational savings, improved performance or to replace an aging fleet, identifying the specific reasons why contracting is in the best interest of your school district enables you to clearly reflect your priorities while developing your RFP — and while communicating with school board members, drivers and community stakeholders. Have questions or ready to get started? Contact us and we will help you through it.