Lacey School District's Transportation System Ranked Fourth in State, First in Ocean

Lacey Township School District has been ranked first in the county and fourth in the state for transportation efficiency.

The state’s rating is based on how efficiently schools are utilizing their seats. While the state looks for a rating of at least 1.20 or 120 percent of vehicle capacity, Lacey’s rating was 3.45.

School District Transportation Supervisor Sue Lynch credits the school district’s six-tier system. Each of Lacey’s six schools operates on a different schedule. Most schools only have three to four tiers.

With the  beginning at 6:55 a.m. and ending at 1:35 p.m., and  starting at 9:15 a.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m., the school district is able to save money and use less busses.

“That’s quite a spread, which enables our school buses to do more and be more efficient,” Lynch previously said.

Lacey Township utilizes 31 buses with 54 seats for in district transportation and 16 for small minivans. There are a total of 4,462 seats used.

To achieve the states standard, each district must use their vehicles for more than one route each day, Lynch said. Lacey averages almost 3.5 routes per day.

If the buses ran on the same schedule, the school district would need more than 100 buses, Lynch explained last year.

“We are continually tweaking route packages for increased efficiency,” she said.

with a 3.06 rating. Since last year, the district has consolidated several additional routes, Lynch said.

The rankings do not take into account extracurricular activities.

The top five rankings in the state and county are listed below: 

State Rankings:

Hanover Park Regional, Morris County: 4.89
Franklin Township, Warren County: 4.15
Upper Deerfield Township, Cumberland County: 3.59
Lacey Township, Ocean County: 3.45
Pinelands Regional, Ocean County: 3.25

County Rankings:

Lacey Township: 3.45
Pinelands Regional: 3.25
Manchester Township: 2.61
Barnegat Township: 2.57
Toms River: 2.55