Commentary: Santa Fe— Some New Mexico school districts could save nearly $2 million or more in transportation costs if they are allowed to use SUVs instead large capacity school buses to transport some students to school.
SB 381 would allow schools to use a district-owned sport utility vehicle (SUV) instead of a school bus for routes that have six or fewer students on them. The bill passed the Senate today, 38-0. It goes to the House.
Senator Woods said he introduced the bill after a school superintendant told him he was required to use a large school bus to transport one student who lived 30 miles from school.
“It makes sense, it is safe and it could be faster to use a SUV rather than a big school bus to drive students to school when there are just a few students on the route,” Senator Woods said. “This bill will help the small rural districts as well as the larger city districts that have students in more remote locations that need to get to school.”
Senator Leavell noted that SUVs are safe because they have seat belts and air bags.
Under the bill, the SUVs could be used to transport one to six students who live five or more miles from their school.
Cost savings in for school districts that already own an SUV could potentially be more than $16,000 annually if these students are currently utilizing school bus transportation.
Given the large number of small school districts in the state, it is likely that numerous districts could benefit from the bill. As of the 2016-2017 school year, eight school districts enroll fewer than 100 students, and an additional 10 districts enroll between 100 and 200 students.