Newtown’s Bus Drivers Are A Company Of Individuals

By Laurie Borst

Every morning, from late August until mid- to late June, the big, yellow buses (and some smaller ones) take to the streets of Newtown to pick up school children and deliver them to the seven public, two private, one parochial, and two out-of-town schools utilized by the district. And every afternoon, the process is reversed.

Newtown is one of the only districts in the state that employs an owner/operator contract transportation system. Most districts contract with a large, corporate transportation company for school bus services. Newtown does have a contract with MTM Transportation for some of these services.

There are three contracts for bus services in Newtown. One contract addresses Newtown’s owner/operators. Another contract is with MTM Transportation, which has more than 30 vehicles including minivans, type 1 buses (full size), and type 2 buses (under 26,001 pounds). A third contract is with Fran McCutcheon, who owns a number of buses that are used for sports activities and field trips.

“All of our drivers can do Parks & Rec trips in the summer,” said owner/operator Beth Koschel.

MTM does the private school and out-of-town runs and provides the fleet of special needs buses. Michelle Voight, a co-owner of MTM, is also an owner/operator of Bus 21.

The town recently signed a new five-year contract with the drivers that goes into effect July 1. As in the past, the town carries liability insurance while the drivers pay their own comp and collision coverage. The town pays for the fuel, drivers take care of all the maintenance.

Drivers buy their buses and were very happy to report that ten new buses have been purchased for next year. This means that nearly one-third of Newtown’s fleet of buses is being replaced.

“Ten new buses equals about $750,000,” said veteran driver, Phil Carroll, “which is being financed through Newtown Savings Bank and Union Savings Bank.”

Newtown has 36 drivers plus the MTM drivers, all of whom hold commercial driver licenses with passenger and school bus endorsements. The state requires a minimum of ten hours of training for new drivers. In Newtown, drivers receive a minimum of 40 hours of training. Once certified, six to ten hours of training is required annually.

Drivers take monthly safety classes and stay up-to-date on laws that provides the annual training hours. Drivers must pass yearly proficiency testing as well as maintain CPR/First Aid certification. This summer, drivers will be trained on defibrillator use.

School bus drivers undergo a background check and fingerprinting with the state police and FBI. Random drug testing is performed throughout the year.

Ms Voight is a school bus driver instructor and does most of the training for MTM. She is currently working with Mr Carroll, who is in training to become a trainer.

“To become a trainer, a driver must work under a certified trainer,” explained Ms Voight. “Phil will be finished in July. Trainers are responsible for training and evaluating drivers.”

The majority of the owner/operators and the MTM drivers are Newtown residents. Many own other businesses in town also.

“Many drivers grew up here and went to Newtown schools,” said driver Carey Schierloh. “Their kids go to Newtown schools.”

Unlike the big corporate bus companies, owner/operators drive their buses or have a limited number of substitute drivers who fill in if they are sick. Parents and students know they will see the same driver every day, providing consistency for the riders.

Mr Carroll pointed out another difference between the corporations and the independents. “We can’t go on strike like recently happened in a nearby town. It would void our contracts.”