Columbia School Board votes to change bus provider

For the time in nearly 40 years, Columbia Public Schools will have a new bus company.

The board of education voted Monday night to change from First Student to Student Transportation of America for school buses.

The decision was a big one because it is a more than 50 million dollar contract over the next five years.

For the first time in 38 years, First Student was not the lowest bidder. Student Transportation (STA) was around two million dollars less over five years. That was one factor in the decision to switch. Some board members said another factor was that First Student has been the center of some issues lately.

Some parents have complained that drivers have allegedly left their children at bus stops. One driver was also accused of hitting a child with papers.

Representatives from STA said they will offer each current bus driver the opportunity to interview with them and drive for them and if they get the job, they’ll receive a higher pay. They also reassured board members that driver behavior and morale is very important at STA, especially in light of the issues with First Student.

Each bus will have cameras and GPS systems. Some will even have wifi and air conditioning as well. STA is the third-largest provider of school bus transportation in North America, operating more than 11,000 buses. Currently more than 8,000 students in Columbia take the bus.

This change could mean a change in bus routes, but the board members are still working out those details.

First Student will finish driving for the rest of the school year.

The board also discussed the possibility of arming the school security director. Right now, each school resource officer is armed, but the security director is not. This vote failed last year, but it is before the board again.