Interlocal Gasoline Purchase Saving School Busing Costs

In recent months, sharply rising gasoline prices have forced Toms River residents to dig increasingly deeper into their pockets to fuel up their vehicles. In our already fragile economic “recovery,” these spiraling gas prices are putting increased strain on residents’ already tight budgets.

However, one of the few bright spots to this unpleasant scenario for students and their parents is that the spike in pump prices hasn’t had a significant impact on the District’s school bus service – at least not yet.

Toms River Regional's fleet of 167 buses purchases fuel through an interlocal agreement with the Township, explained William Doering, business administrator at Toms River Regional Schools.

In effect, the schools “piggyback” onto discounted fuel rates secured by the Township. Doering did acknowledge that, any time gas prices go up and continue to go up like they have recently, it puts a strain on the District budget in terms of fuel costs.

However, the District’s current four-tier bus system – including routes, number of buses, drivers, etc. – will remain the same at this time.

Furthermore, Doering does not see any impact on busing service for the remainder of the school year, despite warnings from many analysts that gas prices, now in the $3.30 to $3.40 range for a gallon of regular unleaded locally, could zoom up to average $4 or more by the time the school year ends and summer vacations begin.

“So much of the busing we provide is mandated by law,” Doering said. “There’s only so much discretion we have in adjusting the system.”

That goes for the busing of students to after-school activities as well, such as sporting contests, field trips and other events. These activities are scheduled and locked in long in advance, obviously with no knowledge of where fuel prices will be at that time. 

With District administrators and Board of Education members in the middle of getting next year’s budget ready for voters to consider on April 27, rising fuel prices undoubtedly are one of the items in the backs of the minds of everyone – parents, teachers, school administrators and Board of Education members alike.

“As we prepare next year’s budget, we are certainly cognizant of the possibility of fuel prices going higher,” Doering said. “We’re keeping an eye on current and forecast prices, and it’s something that concerns us.”

Doering wouldn’t speculate at what level he believed fuel prices could begin to affect school bus services this year or next, other than to reiterate that “it’s not something we anticipate impacting the District’s operations or efficiency.”

Toms River benchmarks for one gallon of regular gasoline, according to gasbuddy.com for March 18, 2011:

• Lowest Regular Gas Price Reported: $3.29 Wawa – 94 NJ Route 70 & Massachusetts Ave.  

• Highest Regular Gas Price Reported: $3.93,  Shell – 3006 NJ Route 37 & Fischer Blvd.

• Average Cost for Roundtrip from East Dover section of  Toms River to Ortley Beach in 2008 Chevy Malibu (app. 17 miles, 25 mpg, 0.68 gallons used, $3.93 per gallon) – $2.67 total trip cost.