TRANSPORTATION
Funding services when there are no funds By Tim Ammon
Transportation operations across British Columbia are facing significant challenges as a result of the recent change to the funding formula in the province. A number of districts have experienced severe cuts to transportation funding that must be addressed through cuts to service, the identification of operational efficiencies or the expanded use of fees to support service. Figuring out how to build support for the new operational and financial models that will result from this change in funding is the biggest challenge transportation professionals across the province will face.
No Easy Choices; No Uncontroversial Decisions Efforts toward “efficiency” around structural funding problems or longterm funding reductions are both ineffective and unsustainable. Service levels will decline, fleets will get older, and paradoxically, costs are likely to increase as transportation managers continue to try to accommodate increasing educational demands with decreasing resources. Dramatic funding cuts will lead to dramatic changes in service models for some school districts. The most draconian – and in many places the only – option is to reduce service. Changing eligibility policies or eliminating services
completely for certain student groups will cause an almost unimaginable public outcry. Worse yet, it will limit the educational opportunities for students in certain communities. It is the severity of these consequences that requires transportation professionals to be certain about the efficiency and effectiveness of their service-delivery practices. While the options are not great, there are certain things that transportation directors can do to prepare themselves for the inevitable discussion about choices. These things include: • Communicating marginal costs. In this business, if you do not eliminate buses it is very difficult to save signifi-
Do you know what time it is?
Neither do we! We’re building like mad for people like you and don’t have time to watch the clock! Our Modular Classrooms are custom built and have many value-added features. Enhancing it’s performance, making teaching and learning a better experience for teachers and students alike. Try it, you may like us!
Our Company may be sixteen months old but all our staff have been building modular for a number of years. Our goal is to provide a building that performs well, has a number of value-added features and is competitively priced. From start to finish we work with you, our Client. Your specifications are adhered to unless you approve change. Now that’s PERFORMANCE! Think AURORA CASCADE when thinking about a modular. Plant location 6550 Unsworth Road, Chilliwack B.C. T: 604.316.1108 | E: info@auroracascade.com W: www.auroracascade.com 48
Ops Talk • Spring 2014
AURORA CASCADE The Smart Choice
