RIDE confirms DATTCO will take over majority of statewide bus services | ABC6

Source: ABC6
Author: Ryan Medeiros

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) -- Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) officials confirmed Tuesday that DATTCO Motorcoach will take over a majority of the Ocean State's school bus services.

A spokesperson for RIDE said the proposal would save taxpayers in cities and towns using statewide school transportation services close to $8 million over five years.

The proposal awarded one zone to Amaral Bus Co., while First Student retained portions of Providence and Bristol Counties.

Members of the First Student bus drivers' union recently expressed concerns with the proposal.

"We have worked hard with First Student through union negotiations to ensure a decent industry wage standard and benefits," said Lorene Hamel, a First Student bus driver.

RIDE officials shared the following statement regarding the proposal process:

"Per state law, RIDE followed an open and competitive procurement process for transportation services for out-of-district special education and non-public school students. A technical evaluation team of five state employees, including members of labor, recommended the selection of DATTCO for services within a zone considering qualifications and best value pursuant to the scoring rubric outlined in the RFP issued for these services.

First Student's union stated that DATTCO's wages and benefits are significantly below the majority of current union contacts.

RIDE's spokesperson added that the request for proposal process (RFP) issued explicitly requested vendors confirm they would comply with all local, state, and federal prevailing wage requirements.