Norwich School considers leasing new school buses to save on costs
Transportation Supervisor William Loomis suggested a plan to replace the current school buses with a new fleet by going through a lease vendor instead of buying new buses outright. (Submitted Photo)
NORWICH – At the Norwich City School budget meeting wednesday night Transportation Supervisor William Loomis suggested a plan to replace the current school buses with a new fleet. But instead of purchasing a new fleet outright, Loomis suggested the school consider leasing.
Loomis said in regards to the cost of repairs to the current fleet of buses, “This coming August we will have one bus that will be in warranty. So we can fully expect those costs to climb," said Loomis in regards to the cost of repairs to the current fleet of buses.”
Loomis states that after doing in-depth research, the most cost-effective strategy would be to sign a five year lease with a school bus lease vendor. Loomis did not name a specific vendor, but did say that he has gotten "a few quotes from different places."
"We can essentially lease a fleet of buses for less local money than we could purchase four buses for," said Loomis.
He stated that it would cost about $43,000 to $50,000 from local the share fund to lease the entire fleet. Last spring the school had four buses out of order. If they were to replace those buses it would have cost $47,000 to $48,000 to replace four buses.
"It would not only replace the fleet but reduce a lot of our costs going forward as well," he said.
For example, the current school buses gets two to four miles to the gallon. The buses they would be using from the lease vendor get 10 to 12 miles to the gallon. Loomis said that the lease would reduce the school buses’ fuel bill by over 40 percent.
The lease could also save the school potentially thousands of dollars in repairs by including a bumper to bumper warranty.
"With regards to the budget, we're spending a tremendous amount of money repairing out of warranty buses," said Loomis.
The maintenance for the buses, including regular maintenance like oil changes, is taken care of by a bumper to bumper warranty. Any out of pocket cost for repairs would be 100 percent reimbursed by the lease vendor.
Another benefit of the lease, according to Loomis, is all the buses come equipped with state compliant cameras and radios. As the state changes the rules and regulations, the lease vendor will update the buses at no cost to the school.
"Within the price structure of the lease all of the cameras, two way radios, and everything is included in the price,” said Loomis.
The buses come with advance safety features. The newer technology includes steer control, automatic breaking, and a 360 view that allows the driver to see the full surroundings of the bus before the child exits.
Loomis is currently receiving quotes for a full new fleet, which would include 20 large buses and 4 mini buses with wheel chair accessibility. To help offset the initial costs, the school would trade in the current fleet and use that revenue towards the lease.
"At the end of 5 years you flip the fleet over and take on a new fleet," said Loomis. Thus renewing the warranty and keeping the buses up to date.
Loomis said in regards to the cost of repairs to the current fleet of buses, “This coming August we will have one bus that will be in warranty. So we can fully expect those costs to climb," said Loomis in regards to the cost of repairs to the current fleet of buses.”
Loomis states that after doing in-depth research, the most cost-effective strategy would be to sign a five year lease with a school bus lease vendor. Loomis did not name a specific vendor, but did say that he has gotten "a few quotes from different places."
"We can essentially lease a fleet of buses for less local money than we could purchase four buses for," said Loomis.
He stated that it would cost about $43,000 to $50,000 from local the share fund to lease the entire fleet. Last spring the school had four buses out of order. If they were to replace those buses it would have cost $47,000 to $48,000 to replace four buses.
"It would not only replace the fleet but reduce a lot of our costs going forward as well," he said.
For example, the current school buses gets two to four miles to the gallon. The buses they would be using from the lease vendor get 10 to 12 miles to the gallon. Loomis said that the lease would reduce the school buses’ fuel bill by over 40 percent.
The lease could also save the school potentially thousands of dollars in repairs by including a bumper to bumper warranty.
"With regards to the budget, we're spending a tremendous amount of money repairing out of warranty buses," said Loomis.
The maintenance for the buses, including regular maintenance like oil changes, is taken care of by a bumper to bumper warranty. Any out of pocket cost for repairs would be 100 percent reimbursed by the lease vendor.
Another benefit of the lease, according to Loomis, is all the buses come equipped with state compliant cameras and radios. As the state changes the rules and regulations, the lease vendor will update the buses at no cost to the school.
"Within the price structure of the lease all of the cameras, two way radios, and everything is included in the price,” said Loomis.
The buses come with advance safety features. The newer technology includes steer control, automatic breaking, and a 360 view that allows the driver to see the full surroundings of the bus before the child exits.
Loomis is currently receiving quotes for a full new fleet, which would include 20 large buses and 4 mini buses with wheel chair accessibility. To help offset the initial costs, the school would trade in the current fleet and use that revenue towards the lease.
"At the end of 5 years you flip the fleet over and take on a new fleet," said Loomis. Thus renewing the warranty and keeping the buses up to date.
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