More Elmhurst D205 Bus Cost Hikes On Way

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst school board on Tuesday approved five-year bus contracts that include annual cost hikes.

Next year's increase is set at 6.1 percent, with 5 percent hikes each of the following four years.

That's a slower pace than the last three years' increases, which totaled nearly 40 percent – 17 percent in 2022-23, 12 percent in 2023-24 and 10 percent in 2024-25.

The district said increases in bus drivers' wages have driven the cost hikes.

During Tuesday's Elmhurst School District 205 meeting, the school's top finance official said the staff was "happy" to present the proposed contracts with First Student and Cottage Hill Operating.

"These five-year agreements continue our longstanding partnership and help the district save money by stretching the cost of upgrading the bus fleets," said Chris Whelton, assistant superintendent of finance.

He said the contracts support competitive wages for bus drivers. Nationwide, recruitment of bus drivers has been difficult.

Whelton also said the new agreements include penalty clauses for repeated late buses and missed routes without proper notice.

The board's vote for the contracts was unanimous. Member Courtenae Trautmann was absent.

First Student is the district's main bus provider, while Cottage Hill takes special education students.

Districts typically stick with their bus companies for years, if not decades. Little competition exists.

At Lyons Township High School, officials say they do not have much of a choice for school bus contractors, referring to First Student as "the only game in town."

Like Elmhurst, Lyons Township has endured big bus cost increases in recent years.