Bus Routes Change To Save Fuel

Tulsa Public Schools is banking on a change in bus routes to save big money.  The News On 6's Dan Bewley reports fewer kids will be allowed to ride the bus as the school district fights the rising cost of gas.

Tulsa school buses cover 6,000 miles a day on close to 200 routes during the school year. As those wheels go round and round, the price at the pump keeps spinning and spinning.

"It's killed our budget, fuel wise there's just no way to cover the cost," said Valerie Courchesne with Tulsa Public Schools.

A year ago the district was $900,000 over budget on fuel and school officials are hoping the same doesn't happen this year.

As an example of the amount of fuel we're talking about, each one of the buses holds 55 gallons of gas. Last year, it cost $100 to fill them up, this year it costs $150. Some of the buses drain that entire tank every day.  So, school officials have changed bus routes as preventative maintenance.

"Well, we've gone from the mile and a half to the two mile walk zone," said Valerie Courchesne with Tulsa Public Schools.

Meaning, anyone who lives within a two mile radius of a Tulsa school will not be allowed to ride the bus. A year ago that radius was a mile-and-a-half. The additional five blocks is expected to have a big impact in the ledger book.

"You're talking thousands and thousands of dollars," said Valerie Courchesne with Tulsa Public Schools.

The exact figure would be $813,000, close to what was over budget last year. School leaders expect some parents to be upset and they are encouraged to contact their child's school.

"We understand that and we're sympathetic with that, but it's the policy that was set forth and we have to follow the policy. We do the best that we can; we evaluate each one of the circumstances when it comes in," said Valerie Courchesne with Tulsa Public Schools.

Courchesne reminds everyone that it all comes down to the bottom line and they are looking for every way possible to save money.

Tulsa isn't the only district struggling to find money for fuel.  Last year, Broken Arrow budgeted $500,000. This year the budget for gas is $1 million.