School District Puts Breaks On Bus Company
Updated: March 17, 2011
MONTICELLO - Generations of kids have used Monticello Bus Service to get to school, but the tradition has come to an end. Wednesday night board members made the decision to go with Illinois Central School Bus as the new provider of transportation for the district.
"It's devastating to me because we have a great passion for this community, the school district and the drivers have a great passion for the kids." explained Jim Pownall, general manager of Monticello bus Service, Inc.
Contracts were up in the district and they were taking bid. Illinois Central School Bus had the lowest bid and according to Illinois law, school districts have to take the lowest and most responsible bid.
"It's a sad day for Monticello buses, and it's a sad day for Monticello Schools because we've had a wonderful relationship," explained superintendent Victor Zimmerman.
Currently the districts budget for transportation is around $750 thousand. The new company will save the district $300 thousand dollars for the next tree years.
"The board opt to go with the other company and it's a dollars and cents thing," said Pownall.
People in the community are not too happy about the situation.
"A lot of people are on the side that it's ridiculous," explained Laura Bratt who is a mother of two. She said once her kids are able to ride the bus, they wont. "I trust my kids on their buses because I know them I grew up on their buses."
People in Monticello said they went online too look at Illinois Central School Bus record, and had concerns about the companies safety.
"I've talked to Illinois Central School Bus about those situations, as well as the districts that were involved in those situations and found out the rest of the story," said Zimmerman.
He said it comes down to how the company communicates with the district and expects the same kind of service like the Monticello Bus Service.
According to its website, Illinois Central School Bus has about 2,400 school buses and is the 6th largest school bus company in the nation. It's based out of Joliet.
The Monticello bus company has been operating since 1964 when George Miller started the company. In 1984, the current owners, including Pownall, took over.
"It's devastating to me because we have a great passion for this community, the school district and the drivers have a great passion for the kids." explained Jim Pownall, general manager of Monticello bus Service, Inc.
Contracts were up in the district and they were taking bid. Illinois Central School Bus had the lowest bid and according to Illinois law, school districts have to take the lowest and most responsible bid.
"It's a sad day for Monticello buses, and it's a sad day for Monticello Schools because we've had a wonderful relationship," explained superintendent Victor Zimmerman.
Currently the districts budget for transportation is around $750 thousand. The new company will save the district $300 thousand dollars for the next tree years.
"The board opt to go with the other company and it's a dollars and cents thing," said Pownall.
People in the community are not too happy about the situation.
"A lot of people are on the side that it's ridiculous," explained Laura Bratt who is a mother of two. She said once her kids are able to ride the bus, they wont. "I trust my kids on their buses because I know them I grew up on their buses."
People in Monticello said they went online too look at Illinois Central School Bus record, and had concerns about the companies safety.
"I've talked to Illinois Central School Bus about those situations, as well as the districts that were involved in those situations and found out the rest of the story," said Zimmerman.
He said it comes down to how the company communicates with the district and expects the same kind of service like the Monticello Bus Service.
According to its website, Illinois Central School Bus has about 2,400 school buses and is the 6th largest school bus company in the nation. It's based out of Joliet.
The Monticello bus company has been operating since 1964 when George Miller started the company. In 1984, the current owners, including Pownall, took over.
