Four companies pitch Quakertown bus contract; Levy gets broad community support

Four transportation contractors presented to the Quakertown Community School District board March 3 as part of a competitive RFP process that began in December and produced four finalists.

Carrie Stafuri, the district’s director of student services and transportation, walked the board through the RFP timeline and said proposals were publicly opened Jan. 22. The board heard presentations in alphabetical order from First Student, Kraft School Bus, Christ Transportation and Levy School Bus Company.

First Student emphasized national scale and technology, telling the board it would provide 55 new buses and invest roughly $7 million in the district’s fleet; the company said it would guarantee offers to incumbent drivers, pay a top CDL rate of $30 per hour and provide a parent tracking app and AI camera systems intended to reduce incidents. "We will provide 55 brand new buses in advance for the community," Ryan Stanley said during his presentation.

Kraft School Bus highlighted operations excellence, local field teams and the company’s 84‑year history serving nearby districts. Christ Transportation framed its pitch around local hubs, recruiting and an immediate regional presence to staff routes and respond quickly. Levy School Bus Company, a family‑owned local firm in the room with drivers and mechanics, emphasized 99 years of service, community ties, safety practices and the continuity it provides for students and families.

Multiple public commenters urged the board to retain Levy. Casey Peters, a Levy driver and training lead, described drivers’ long tenures and the value of familiar faces on routes. "I trust them to take care of my own children," Peters said. Other speakers, including a district school psychologist and QCA representatives, stressed local relationships and stability.

Board members asked vendors how they would handle hiring incumbent drivers, fuel and parking if a nonlocal contractor were chosen. Levy and the national firms all said they would offer positions to existing drivers who choose to join the new employer; vendors said locating local parking/fueling facilities is feasible but can add time and cost and that working with the incumbent facility is often the smoothest path.

The board closed the vendor presentations by asking for any updates to proposals and said the transportation award will be considered at the March 26 meeting.