New school buses weighed vs. used models

Unionville board of ed. awaits cost analysis to see which is less expensive over the long haul By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Unionville schools officials will be working up numbers to determine whether buying new school buses, such as the Thomas/Frieghtlininer pictured above will be more cost effective than buying used 2009 models. EAST MARLBOROUGH — More school buses are coming, but...

Unionville board of ed. votes to keep bus operation

Bids rejected at special Tuesday morning meeting, district looks to save $87K annually By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District will continue to operate it's own bus fleet after a formal vote, Tuesday morning. EAST MARLBOROUGH — It was quick, to the point and ended with a loud round of applause. Tuesday morning’s special Board of Education meeting...

Letter: Price argues full cost of keeping busing in-house not looked at fairly

To the Editor, The UCFSD debate about potential outsourcing at last Monday’s Board Meeting may need some clarification. The low bid we received (from First Student) was shown as offering 5-year savings of $718,203 over keeping things in-house as we are structured right now. First Student is also prepared to purchase our bus fleet for the sum of $1,717,553. The net 5-year difference was $2,435,756. ...

Unionville board appears likely to reject bus outsourcing

Four of five bids higher than current costs, administrators say more savings can come from keeping bus program in-house. By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com It looks like district-operated school buses will continue to run from the Doe Run Road depot for the foreseeable future. EAST MARLBOROUGH — When it comes to outsourcing the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District’s bus operation, it...

Unionville to get bids on outsourcing busing

Board of Education members say no decision has been made, bids needed to get detailed financial information By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com POCOPSON — Stressing that the final decision had not been made, most members of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education expressed support for putting the district’s school bus services out to bid for outsourcing in the next couple of weeks,...

Sparks fly over Unionville bus outsourcing study

Parents ask board to look carefully before firing district drivers, board members clash over study proposal By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com The Unionville Chadds Ford Board of Education awarded a $15,160 contract to study the district's transportation system. EAST MARLBOROUGH — Tension is already rising as the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District begins its first steps toward considering...

Unionville schools set to hire consultants to look at buses

Could be first step to privatizing school bus fleet By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is expected to hire a consultant Monday night to look more closely at the district school bus fleet — and whether moving to an outside contractor is a better fiscal option. EAST MARLBOROUGH — The Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education is expected to take...

Unionville schools look to study bus privatization

Members express concern about how the non-financial value of operating bus fleet, employing drivers will be measured By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com While it is likely that outsourcing bus services to a private firm would save money, some Unionville-Chadds Ford school board members want to make sure that non-economic benefits of keeping it in house are measured in an upcoming study of the...