School Facilities Services/Transportation Team
Pupil Transportation Services
CONTRACTING FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES - GUIDELINES
Details defining the following items should be included as specifications or conditions in all pupil transportation contracts inclusive of contracts with private individuals for the transportation of pupils in privately owned passenger vehicles. Additional specifications or conditions may be added to fit local needs.
- Description of services required:
- Regular schedules, routes and mileage
- Specific transportation services required such as athletics, special education needs, and/or field trips.
- Specific pick-up and deliver requirements
- Special Need Children and pre-school and Head Start programs
- Reports
- Vehicle requirements:
- Age, type and number
- Maintenance and inspection responsibilities
- Spares/back-up requirements and restrictions
- District right of rejection
- Assistive technology, lifts, mobility aids, etc.
- Passenger restraint systems where applicable
- Compliance with all pertinent laws
- Insurance and Form B requirements (Title 29-A, §1611)
- Registration requirements (especially where combination plates are a requirement – see Title 29-A, §501)
- Driver Requirements
- Age
- License requirements (class and endorsement)
- Driving record, criminal background and fingerprint check requirements
- Physical examination/capability requirements
- Training
- Hiring and termination responsibilities (if the contractor hires drivers)
- Drug and Alcohol testing requirements (pre-contract and random thereafter)
- District right of rejection
- Performance standards/expectations
- Substitute drivers
- Operating Requirements
- Contact(s) for daily, after hours and emergency communications.
- Use of seat belts and passenger restraint systems (where applicable).
- Confidentiality.
- Responsibility and expectations for student management and discipline. Required discipline reports and communications to the district and parents.
- Design of routes and designation of bus stops/pick-up locations.
- District policy restrictions or requirements.
- Law compliance.
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspection requirements.
- Documentation, records, reporting and information retention requirements and responsibilities.
- School or activity cancellation.
- Emergency response expectations; accident/crash/safety incident reporting
- Drills and student training requirements.
- Special Needs students, preschool, etc. requirements (including policy on aids/bus assistants, assistive technology, etc.).
- Involvement with PET/IEP when transportation is a related service to a special education or 504 student’s education plan.
- Co-curricular and extra-curricular trips.
- Driver Hours of Service requirements and limits.
- Anti-idling or emission reduction expectations (Click to see attached sample policy for contractors).
- Cleanliness of the bus(es).
- Term of contract, liability, cancellation clause, failure to perform clause, penalties, and schedule of fees (Maximum term is 5 years).
- Contracts shall be subject to the approval by the Commissioner (Title 20-A, §5401).
Contact Rick Soules if you have any questions. Phone: 207-624-6884 or fax: 207-624-6841 or Email: Richard.J.Soules@Maine.Gov.
References in Maine Statutes: (found on the web at: http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/law.html#laws)
- Title 20-A MRSA §5401 Sub-§§ 13, 14 and 15
- Title 20-A MRSA §5402 Bid Procedure
- Title 20-A MRSA Subchapter III Employee and Applicant Records
- Title 29-A MRSA §501 Sub-§1 Fees for registration; motor vehicles – specifically “combination vehicles”
- Title 29-A MRSA §1611 Insurance, bond or self-insurance required – Sub-§2 paragraphs B2–B5, C1-C2 and D1-D2.
