CPS reviews student bus company

The Columbia Public School Board met Thursday morning to review the first year of Student Transportation of America as the district’s bus company.

The board approved STA in 2014 after the company put in a bid for $53-million over a five years. It was the first time in more than 30 years former CPS bus company “First Student” had been underbid.

STA began busing students in the summer of 2015 so this is wrapping up their first full school year.

One issue STA had when they started was driver morale. In the past, drivers wouldn’t receive pay raises for the first seven years on the job. When STA took over, the started pay raises every year. They say it helps with morale and retention of the driver.

STA says driver morale is important because the drivers are the first and last person the students see on the bus so they’re attitudes have impact on the students. School District Community Relations Director, Michelle Baumstark, echoed that sentiment, saying the bus ride is really an extension of the child’s school day.

One other thing that was brought up were issues on buses.

The STA rep says bus issues are on the rise nationwide. He says the company does provide training for drivers on how to deal with issues.

Baumstark also said she has heard a handful of issues from upset parents this school year. But STA has been a significant improvement over the almost daily complaint from parents last year.

Baumstark mentioned the district and STA are working together to create a GPS app at the request of parents. The app, which is currently in its testing phase, would allow parents to track school bus locations. They expect that to be ready by next school year.

STA took over as the bus company for the Columbia school district in 2015 and has a 5 year contract.