District 205 is Going With a New School Bus Provider in the Fall

There may be a few bumps in the road next fall as Elmhurst District 205 rolls out its new transportation provider, Lakeview Bus Co. But overall, officials are expecting a smooth transition.

The School Board voted last week to end its relationship with First Student (Laidlaw), which has been the district's transportation provider since 1996, and approve a three-year contract with Lakeview. Laidlaw's contract is set to expire June 30. Cost was the reason school officials decided to make the change.

"(Laidlaw) provided good service, but we were required to bid this out by law, and Lakeview was the lowest responsible bidder," Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Chris Whelton said March 20.

Laidlaw's base bid for 2012-13 is $1.69 million, increasing to $1.79 million in 2014-15.  Lakeview's base bid for 2012-13 is $1.56 million, increasing to $1.64 million in 2014-15.

Lakeview Bus Company is based out of Bellwood. It is much smaller than Laidlaw, Whelton said, and its bus barn is located 3.3 miles from the District 205 boundary. The company has pledged to purchase new buses to handle the Elmhurst routes by the fall. The company has been in business since 1987.

The new buses will be equipped with video cameras in the front and back, and GPS to monitor where each bus is at all times, Whelton said.

"The owners are focused on customer service," Whelton said. "They (service) three other similar-sized school districts. They're anxious to get started.

"There could be bumps in the road, but nothing they can't work through."

To ease the transition, personnel from Lakeview and the school district will meet several times over the next few months to familiarize the company with the district. Whelton and School Board members are asking parents to be patient next fall in the event of any unforeseen problems.

The School Board also approved renewal of a three-year contract with Cottage Hill Operating Company in Villa Park for special education transportation services. Cottage Hill was the lowest responsible bidder. The multifaceted bid  includes daily per-pupil charges based on mileage, wheelchairs and other special equipment, charters and more.

"This is our current provider," School Board member Jim Collins said. "We won't see much change at all."

Whelton said Cottage Hill has been a trusted provider.

"We've been happy with the service on St. Charles Road for many years," he said.