Contracted School Buses

[calicoracing]

Hello,
I have a couple of races on my calendar for which I need to bus all of the runners to and from the start/ finish line. I have previously used the "Coach America" buses, but thought that schools buses would be more economical. I called the local school district and they said they don't contract out buses at all.

I know many other races use school buses. Any thoughts on if these are "retired" school buses contracted out by someone else??

Any thoughts/ suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks
joyce

[Trailrunnerdude]

That's a tough question. I think it will vary from school district to school district - some of them allow buses to be contracted and others don't. Some may have a policy that they don't contract buses, but if a race such as Boston has been doing it for years they make an exception. Most newer races tend to be loop or out & back courses to avoid this logistical issue. One way you might cut costs if you have to go with Coach America is to consider them a sponsor and see if they'll discount part of their fee.

[calicoracing]

Thanks for the reply. Most of my courses are out and back or loop. However, since many of them are within protected wilderness areas, be it BLM, or US Forest- there is no event parking at the venue. So I need to shuttle people to and from the start line from an off-site parking location.

Thanks again.

[joeconn4]

Most of the busing companies where I live, Northern Vermont, offer both coaches and yellow "school" buses. You are correct that the price is far less for the school buses. These are "for contract" buses, not "school district specific" buses. Ask around locally and you will probably find some bus company that offers both coaches and yellow buses.

[JamesM]

The schools may not be able to provide the bus because they may not be their buses. A lot of the buses used by school districts are run by sub contractors. You have to find the sub contractor who is providing the buses to the school district.

Just because it has the name of the district or county on the side does not mean they are the owners and operators. I know this because I once worked for a company that owned buses and had hundreds of contracts with local counties and school districts to provide bus and para-transit services.

Also check with the private schools and churches near you. They often have their own private bus systems.

[Time of Your Life]

See if you can find a local phone listing for Laidlaw. Laidlaw has school bus charter/rental operations in many parts of North America.

Check the following web site:
http://www.laidlawcharters.com/