| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Admin
Administrator
USA
1664 Posts |
 Posted - 02/07/2002 : 3:02:20 PM
|
I'm working on an article about school bus financing and would like to get some feedback from you all about how you're acquiring your new buses.
With bare-bone school district budgets (and contractor budgets), does it make more sense to lease buses or to finance them, rather than to purchase them outright?
Also, are you buying fewer buses this year than in past years?
If you'd like to reply directly, my e-mail address is steve.hirano@bobit.com and my phone number is (310) 533-2452.
Any help is appreciated.
Steve Hirano, Editor
SCHOOL BUS FLEET
|
|
|
wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2002 : 8:20:55 PM
|
Hi Steve,
Even in light of tightened budgets and reduced capitol expenditures, our district has managed to fund buses every year. We are most fortunate to have a staff and board that understand the importance of transportation. Although we have had to reduce quantities, we are still buying a first class bus with a lot of equipment. For any district capable of funding its own buses, I have to believe leasing is a loser in the long run. It may help a cash short operation, but it is only a short term fix. Districts must be fiscally responsible and that includes their school bus fleet.
Florida has an advantage, I believe, because of our state bid purchasing process which allows us to buy a lot of bus for less money. This has to help our state. Maybe others will see the advantage of buying as a state and follow suit one day.
Joe
|
 |
|
|
busguyuk
Active Member
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2002 : 04:41:10 AM
|
Don't forget to talk to the contractors too. All businesses, public or private, have the same problems of raising finance but there are innovative ways of leasing 'the money' for vehicles which basically allows you to spec and run them as if they were 99% your own.
Although I am employed by a contractor I have in the past run in-house operations including large public service fleets. My view is that in a perfect world all school districts would run everything themselves....but this is far from a perfect world and in many cases the best way to provide funding for other pressing education based needs is to carefully look for a competent professional to do the job for you. Ensure you write a good comprehensive spec, monitor compliance firmly but fairly but let someone else worry about the funding liabilities, driver recruitment and on-road performance. Many people who now have moved to professional contracted fleets are sure they made the right move and can properly concentrate on their core role. They are in the driving seat and the contractor must provide the defined service....or else.
'The future's yellow' |
|
|
|
Busrepair
Senior Member
121 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2002 : 08:57:45 AM
|
We are purchasing again this year and we have increased the amount. Although it is a small organization that I work for we have made the determination that it is in the best interest to buy.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Lease or purchase buses?
