“Richmond Community Schools Turns School Buses into a Profitable Asset” Richmond Community Schools (RCS) was looking to convert student transportation into more than just a cost of education. Since partnering with Student Transit this past January, RCS has (without resorting to privatization) been turning what was an expense into a valuable community asset. In fact, in these few short months StudentTransit’s innovative asset management approach has already started paying dividends:

Job Development: Student Transit has helped local residents become bus drivers, supporting them through their training and acquisition of their Commercial Driver’s Licenses. Additional applications are being accepted. Call 765-973-3449 for information on applying.

Cost Savings: Student Transit has greatly improved operational efficiency. By simplifying bus specifications, RCS has enjoyed a 20% savings in purchase cost, while still adding air-conditioning to recent buses! Fuel consumption has been reduced 10% thanks to improved driving styles and reduced idling. Over $200,000 was saved in capital spending by working with local architects on bus facility improvements. As a bonus, these savings will permit even more improvements to be added to the development plan.

Technology: New technology can improve both student safety and operations. Bus cameras and GPS systems are just some of the improvements being installed. New maintenance software is optimizing parts management and work allocation.

Education: With Student Transit’s assistance, RCS has launched work-study programs for students in both vehicle maintenance and bus charters. The RCS bus facility is now a certified warranty center for Thomas Buses and will be serving East Central Indiana school corporations, generating new revenue for RCS.

Bus Chartering: A new bus charter program, “CharterRbus”, is underway with the support of a local business Oak Leaf Marketing. Any group requiring bus transportation this summer or on a weekend, can call 317-973- 3449. Not only will they get a very competitive price, but also 35% of the fee goes to RCS.

Click to enlarge:

Shown left to right:
Aleesa Drennen, Director of Ideas, Oak Leaf Marketing
John McFarland, Director of Operations, StudentTransit
Miranda Wilkie, Sales & Marketing Intern (student at Richmond High School)
Matt Miles, Business Development Manager, StudentTransit

Shown left to right:
John McFarland, Director of Operations, StudentTransit
Justin Potters, Mechanic Internt (student at Richmond High School)
Bill Thomas, Assistant Director of Operations, StudentTransit

StudentTransit creates value for school districts by leveraging existing school assets to find new sources of revenues to benefit schools, students and the community. For more information, contact: Matt Miles, StudentTransit, 1 Sodrel Drive, Jeffersonville IN 47130. Phone: 317-488-9913. Email: mmiles@StudentTrans.com.