Chinook School Division provides bus services to students through a variety of means, including private contracts and direct ownership, under their official policy. Over time, the Chinook administration and Board of Education have given prudent consideration to a unique opportunity to provide direct bus service to students within the city of Swift Current.
After reviewing a thorough business case prepared by Chinook Administration, the Board has decided to support a strategy to bring all bussing in Swift Current within the Transportation Department of Chinook School Division. The plan was approved by the Board at their public meeting on Monday, March 12.
In order to facilitate the plan, Chinook will purchase equipment currently deployed by Rilling Bus Ltd. in Swift Current as part of their present bus services contract with the division. The Board projects the equipment purchase will provide overall cost savings for the school division, while allowing the Chinook transportation department to run reliable bus services for students in a more cost-efficient manner.
"We are happy to be given this opportunity to find potential cost savings, both in the short and long term," said Board Chair Shane Andrus. Given the budget restraints Chinook is currently facing, this is an opportunity to achieve cost savings in an overall difficult fiscal circumstance.
Chinook will assume the operation of city routes in the Fall of 2018. "We want to thank Rilling Bus for their partnership and we appreciate the years of service they have provided," said Vice Chair Kimberly Pridmore. Rilling was contracted to provide bus services to Chinook for the majority of the school bus routes within the city of Swift Current for the past four years.
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For more information, contact:
Joanne Booth, Communications Coordinator
Chinook School Division
Phone: 306-778-9200 Ext 218
jbooth@chinooksd.ca
