How much does it cost to hire a coach?
Discussion
Can anyone give me a ballpark figure for hiring a coach for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, 39 weeks a year?
My local council has just floated a masterplan for saving money which involves closing a 3rd of it's primary schools; for the 2 schools nearest to me to close they would need to bus 160 kids 10 miles to the next nearest school(which I don't believe could take them all anyway, the next available school beyond that is 16 miles away). I strongly suspect the council's estimate of the annual bus hire costs is fictitious and would like something to throw at them at the coming public meeting other than rotten fruit(I knew those windfall apples would come in handy
).
My local council has just floated a masterplan for saving money which involves closing a 3rd of it's primary schools; for the 2 schools nearest to me to close they would need to bus 160 kids 10 miles to the next nearest school(which I don't believe could take them all anyway, the next available school beyond that is 16 miles away). I strongly suspect the council's estimate of the annual bus hire costs is fictitious and would like something to throw at them at the coming public meeting other than rotten fruit(I knew those windfall apples would come in handy
).
I think those school run contracts are put up for tender, or at least they are in my area.
This means that you have local firms trying to under bid each other which can result in cost cutting which in turn results in savings being made where you wouldn't want them to, think vehicle maintenance. A few years ago I had the misfortune of actually working on some of the minibuses used for school runs in my area. They have to be maintained to a minimum standard obviously for the mot, but that's it & for the rest of the year I'd say that some fell way below that standard.
I can not speak for every firm that's involved in these contracts but from the couple that I have had experience with I can safely say that I wouldn't want a child of mine travelling in one.
This means that you have local firms trying to under bid each other which can result in cost cutting which in turn results in savings being made where you wouldn't want them to, think vehicle maintenance. A few years ago I had the misfortune of actually working on some of the minibuses used for school runs in my area. They have to be maintained to a minimum standard obviously for the mot, but that's it & for the rest of the year I'd say that some fell way below that standard.
I can not speak for every firm that's involved in these contracts but from the couple that I have had experience with I can safely say that I wouldn't want a child of mine travelling in one.
Edited by Larry Dickman on Sunday 31st October 16:44
I wouldn't tar them all with the same brush. As I have my PCV Licence, I am often asked if I can help out when a firm near to me are stuck - Driver sickness e.t.c... I can assure you that threre is heavy regulation and a strict maintenance schedule and inspection. Local Authorities are very strict and Schools too. It is a "bid for contract" system and there is not much profit left in the contracts.
It just about covers costs to free the coach up for the rest of the day (and night) to try and make some profit.
It just about covers costs to free the coach up for the rest of the day (and night) to try and make some profit.
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