Summary of "The Economics of Everyday Things" – Episode 96: School Buses

Introduction

In Episode 96 of The Economics of Everyday Things, hosted by Zachary Crockett from the Freakonomics Network, the intricate and often overlooked world of school buses is explored. The episode delves into the economic, logistical, and human challenges surrounding the transportation of 26 million K-12 students in the United States. Through interviews with school bus drivers, transportation directors, and industry experts, Crockett unveils the complexities that ensure children safely reach their classrooms each day.

The Essential Role of School Bus Drivers

The episode opens with the story of Jada Melendez, a dedicated school bus driver in Burlington County, New Jersey. Melendez’s day begins early, meticulously preparing her 87-passenger Bluebird bus. She emphasizes the multifaceted responsibilities of her role:

"You’re looking at your tires, you’re looking at the lights, the stop arm, your wipers, your horn, making sure all your nuts and your bolts and stuff is all there." ([01:15])

Driving a school bus, Melendez explains, is not merely about transportation but also about safety and care:

"A lot of people don’t appreciate us. They look at us like being an Uber driver and we’re not. We’re taking care of your kids. We’re a babysitter, we’re a nurse, we’re a therapist. It’s a lot that we do to keep the kids safe." ([09:59])

Financial and Logistical Challenges

School districts bear the significant financial burden of operating thousands of buses. Each traditional diesel bus costs between $90,000 and $120,000, while electric buses can range from $400,000 to $500,000 per vehicle ([04:11]). Maintaining and replacing fleets is a continuous financial strain, with districts often replacing 5-15% of their buses annually to ensure safety and reliability ([04:33]).

Zachary Crockett interviews Mark Medina, the Supervisor of Transportation in the Farmendale School District on Long Island, who highlights the budgetary struggles:

"Transportation is at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to, you know, the funds and stuff like that. Some districts are laying teachers off and laying workers off. They don’t want to throw money into transportation." ([07:15])

Driver Shortages and Labor Market Competition

One of the most pressing issues discussed is the nationwide shortage of school bus drivers. With an average wage of around $21 per hour, school bus driving is less lucrative compared to other transportation jobs, making it difficult to attract and retain workers. This shortage has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw many experienced drivers leave the profession permanently ([18:13], [18:42]).

Keith Corso, co-founder of BusRight, explains the depth of the problem:

"Quitting at record rates, and the driver shortage has been an issue for over a decade." ([18:47])

Moreover, competition from companies like Amazon, which are actively seeking drivers with commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), further depletes the available workforce:

"They can drive for Amazon, make more money, and they’re driving around packages and no one’s screaming at them." ([20:08])

Innovative Solutions and Technological Innovations

In response to the driver shortage and logistical challenges, various solutions are being explored. BusRight, represented by Keith Corso, offers technological tools designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency:

"We affix rugged military grade tablets to the dashboard of every bus in your fleet. Those tablets provide turn by turn driver navigation that’s engineered for a school bus and the route that drivers taking at that moment." ([21:40])

Additionally, some districts are implementing creative measures such as enlisting private cab companies to transport students or offering financial incentives to parents to opt out of bus services:

"In St. Louis, district leaders temporarily enlisted private cab companies to get kids to school. In Philadelphia, the district has experimented with paying parents $300 a month to opt out of bus service." ([20:39])

Personal Stories and Daily Realities

Mark Medina shares his journey from selling car insurance to becoming a transportation supervisor, underscoring the dedication required to manage transportation for over 4,000 students:

"I oversee the whole transportation department, so we run about close to 100 buses." ([07:09])

He further describes the relentless nature of the job:

"There’s a lot of hardworking transportation professionals and they roll up their sleeves. They come to work early, they stay late, and it’s not an easy thing." ([22:58])

Parent-Driver Dynamics and Increased Scrutiny

The relationship between school bus drivers and parents has become increasingly strained. With heightened concerns over child safety, parents often inundate transportation departments with inquiries and complaints, transforming these departments into call centers:

"These transportation departments are looking more like call centers. A call center just for parents to give you a sense of just how concerned and worried these parents are." ([16:56])

Jada Melendez recounts confrontations with parents who overstep boundaries:

"I’ve had some parents that would come to your bus and want to tell you how to run your bus. No, ma’am, you don’t tell me how to run my bus." ([16:15])

Efforts to Enhance Efficiency and Attract Drivers

Districts are implementing strategies to optimize bus routes and improve operational efficiency despite limited resources. Medina likens route planning to a game of Tetris, requiring creative adjustments to cover all routes with a dwindling number of drivers:

"It’s like a game of Tetris, where you have to fit these pieces to make the operation work." ([19:02])

Additionally, districts are offering significant incentives to attract new drivers, including $10,000 sign-on bonuses and paid training programs. However, these measures are often not enough to stem the tide of departing drivers.

Conclusion

Episode 96 of The Economics of Everyday Things sheds light on the critical yet challenging world of school bus transportation. Through the experiences of dedicated drivers like Jada Melendez and transportation supervisors like Mark Medina, the episode highlights the economic pressures, logistical hurdles, and human elements that keep millions of students moving safely each day. The exploration of innovative solutions and the ongoing struggle to attract and retain drivers underscore the broader implications for public education and community safety.

Notable Quotes

• Jada Melendez: "You’re looking at your tires, you’re looking at the lights, the stop arm, your wipers, your horn, making sure all your nuts and your bolts and stuff is all there." ([01:15])

• Mark Medina: "Transportation is at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to, you know, the funds and stuff like that." ([07:15])

• Keith Corso: "They’re popping up everywhere." ([20:06])

• Jada Melendez: "A lot of people don’t appreciate us. They look at us like being an Uber driver and we’re not." ([09:59])

• Keith Corso: "We affix rugged military grade tablets to the dashboard of every bus in your fleet." ([21:40])

Final Thoughts

This episode not only underscores the indispensable role of school bus drivers but also calls attention to the systemic issues that threaten the stability of school transportation systems across the nation. As districts continue to navigate financial constraints and labor shortages, the stories shared by Crockett offer a compelling glimpse into the heart of public education logistics.