TRAVERSE CITY -- A public transit authority may be able to save the region's largest school district some money, but it would require serious talks with school leaders, the agency's director said.
Tom Menzel, executive director of Bay Area Transportation Authority, wants to investigate whether BATA's bus fleet can help Traverse City Area Public Schools cut costs. But school leaders say any possible savings will take time to sort out and implement. So far, nothing has come from the idea, Menzel said.
"I have asked for in-depth discussions about our operations and any way we can help each other out," he said. "You need in-depth discussions on how you can merge any operations."
Exploring possibilities takes time and a potential partnership with BATA may be "wishful thinking," said James Feil, TCAPS superintendent.
"Because somebody suggests something doesn't mean it can produce savings or economies of scale," he said, adding the district is "open" to the idea.
A TCAPS consultant last month completed an analysis of district transportation operations and its approximately $6 million budget. The report concludes that transportation service quality is high for about 5,600 students who ride district buses each day, but overall costs are above expected ranges.
For example, the district's annual transportation costs per student is $1,181, about $250 above the regional school expense range of $733 to $935 per student, the report states.
The study was done by Management Partnership Services, Inc., a fleet management consulting company from Maryland.
District officials are trying to find ways to decrease costs and find efficiencies, Feil said.
"We have a need and we're having a difficult time meeting that need," he said.
Menzel said that's why he wants to talk about how BATA and TCAPS can work together. A district committee to recommend budget cuts for 2010-11 also suggested a partnership with BATA be explored.
Feil said BATA has in the past transported students to Traverse City High School, the district's alternative school on Three Mile Road. The agency continues to provide students rides to area charter schools, Menzel said.
But Menzel wants to move beyond the 30 or so TCAPS students at the alternative high school and take a broader approach, he said.
"That's piecemeal. We need an overall strategy," Menzel said.
