Bus Fees

That is ridiculous! Nobody in their right mind would pay that OR COULD pay that! That's simply crazy having to pay $400.00 a month. However, what else are mom's and dad's who work going to do? I feel sorry for those who have to

WOW! I've heard of them charging a few in some areas's but I don't recall anyone saying it was that expensive!!! Yeah my kids would be walking or I'd be driving them. My kids get bussed for safety sake to elementary school as it's not that safe for an adult to walk nonetheless a small kid. I bet they are doing this as many districts and states have had huge budget cuts and need to make up the cost somewhere w/o raising property taxes.

Ok, there we go: One child = 400 usd / month. Estimate: - 60 childs will be transported daily to school. - this will happen 5 days out of 7. - will be done 2 tours a day, one to bring kids to school and one to ride them back home. - one tour length, including bus coming and going back to garrage, would be about 50 km. - there has to be paid also salaries for 2 drivers - mechanics and, for the amount of requested money / child, 2 bodyguards, 1 manager. - a garage where is room for 2 bus and small offices rooms for the 7 workers. I assume the garage rent price will be about 500$ / month. sallaries of the 5 employees I assume would be a total of 5 x 2500$ / month = 12,500$ / month. Fuel, different consumable and spare parts for the bus or for emploayees: 1,500$ month. Total of cost / month: 38 - 14,500$ (174,000 $/year). Total first investment (2 bus*, legal papers etc.): 35 - 40,000$. (* - bus price = http://www.bargainbusnews.com/Buses/3037-1996InternationalThomas/ Estimate income first month (and each month after): 60 kids x 400$ = 24,000$ 1 year estimate balance: 288,000 $ cash in 214,000 $ cash out Profit = 74,000 $ / year (- taxes and all legal stuff = 25 - 30,000$ / year)

I can see that this might only be a ruse for the school to earn more money than what they're earning now. Although, I think you can talk to the school administration to lower down the fee because it's too high. You should talk to other parents who wouldn't approve of this to go with you so you'd have support when dealing with school authority.

I am happy that my child has walking distance to her school. We live in the middle of a town. I know that parents have to pay for their children's public bus fares, if they not choose a nearby school.

That does seem ridiculously expensive for a bus ride - if the bus is picking up lots of children in the area, surely the school does not need to charge that much per child in order to cover their costs? They should definitely not be trying to make a profit out of it. But yes, as one of the other responses has said, at least that service is available - for those parents who absolutely don't have time to take their kids to school, at least they have the option to allow them to take the bus.

fortunately my kids can walk to school and for kids that are farther away, the city gives them bus passes so they can take public transit.

That is just crazy! I wouldn't pay that for a public school. What are the policies for the low income families? They people can barely pay their rent and groceries. That would not work. Discrimination for the low income families! I know a private school that charges that and it's a better education. It is much better than my area public schools! I have been homeschooling my child and it takes the pressure off!