(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Community School District Transportation Director Steve Andersen presented his first report to the School Board Wednesday evening, since taking over the position. He said the Transportation Department has 19 regular drivers and 12 active substitute drivers.

Andersen all of the District’s yellow buses run on propane. A smaller, mini-bus runs on gasoline, and there are five diesel buses.

Steve Andersen showed the Board a color-coded map indicating their bus routes.

ACSD Transportation Director Steve Andersen (Official ACSD photo)

Andersen said all of their buses are inspected twice per year. All 27 buses were kept in-service last year, with only minor repairs needed, such as burned-out lights. A suburban that was previously taken out of service for repairs, was returned to the fleet this past Fall. He said one of his goals is to be able to acquire routing software, similar to what he used in his former delivery business. Currently, the routes are drawn by hand.

Andersen said the software would not only be a good security benefit, but a parent’s portal would allow changes to the route to be more efficient, based on student availability.

He said also, he wants to offer competitive compensation for the District’s drivers.

He also wants to continue to recruit Class-B licensed drivers. Andersen noted they can train persons who are getting their Class-B license for the first time and get them up-to-speed with an approved training at no charge.