School Officials Satisfied with New School Bus Service

Chuck Zettergren, director of finance and operations for Rocky Hill Public Schools, expressed satisfaction with its new school bus service.

The school system is currently in the first year of a five-year contract with New Britain Transportation, which is a private company based out of Berlin. It has previously contracted with the company Durham, but Zettergren said it chose to switch companies this year because New Britain Transportation entered the lowest bid.

“They have done well,” said Zettergren earlier this month. “There are a number of issues that arise at the start of school. I am pleased at how the company dealt with them.”

He did not say anything negative about the quality of service previously provided by Durham.

The town entered into a five-year contract with the company and will spend $5,362,355 over its duration. It will spend $999,997 during the first year of the contract and will pay 3.5 percent more incrementally over the five years.

The town will save $594,011 over five years compared to what it would have spent had it contracted with Durham, according to information on the bidding process that was dated Jan. 3 and provided by the school district.  It will also save $339,384 compared to what it would have spent had it contracted with Dattco, which was the other low bidder.

He said that the savings incurred by switching companies may come to more, once costs associated with student field trips and special education transportation are calculated.

In addition to saving money, said Zettergren, the company also retained most of the drivers that have been operating on the school routes used by Durham.

“They are familiar with the routes, children and parents,” he said. “It makes the transition between companies a lot easier.”