A five-year transportation contract Jim Thorpe Area School District approved last month with Rohrer Bus is not sitting well with the district’s current bus drivers.

Nearly ten drivers spoke at Jim Thorpe’s board meeting Wednesday night telling directors they will stay with current contractor Krise Transportation even if it means taking routes for another district in the 2024-25 school year.

“Giving this contract to Rohrer is one of the biggest mistakes this board has made,” driver Amy Paisley said. “This contract makes no sense. You’re asking these drivers to take a pay cut and that’s not fair. On average, when you look at what Rohrer is paying, you’re talking about a $7 per hour pay cut.”

The contract, which runs from July 1 through June 30, 2029, calls for Rohrer to receive “the sum of money pursuant to the state reimbursement formula for actual days of transportation provided for each school year. The transportation being performed shall be subject to a minimum $275 per day for vans or $385 per day for buses.”

The daily minimums can increase each year in line with any changes in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Pupil Transportation Cost Index.

Rohrer’s cost of fuel will be capped at $2.75 per gallon for diesel fuel and $2.61 per gallon for gasoline in the 2024-25 school year.

Tim Krise said his busing company, which has been servicing the Jim Thorpe Area School District for just under a year, offered $320 per day for buses in his contract offer.

“We have significantly increased wages and benefits for our employees and improved the work environment, making it a place where employees want to come, not have to come,” Krise said. “We intend on continuing to have a terminal here even if you choose to go with another carrier. We have been transparent with our employees since beginning negotiations in January. Over 80% of the drivers have agreed to stay with us. Over 80% of our drivers have agreed to stay with us.”

One of Jim Thorpe’s deciding factors, director Mary Figura said, was a lack of negotiation from Krise in the early part of the process.

“I sat through all of the presentations,” Figura said. “We were presented a contract by Krise that I had a lot of questions about. There were some things they were not willing to negotiate on so we had to look at other proposals. We didn’t look at other companies just to do it.”

Krise said if Jim Thorpe decides to stick with its decision to switch to Rohrer, current district drivers will be welcomed “with open arms” to drive in other areas where his company has contracts. That includes Northern Lehigh, which just approved a renewal with Krise for six years.

Current Krise drivers in Jim Thorpe said they met with Rohrer and asked questions about wages and routes but have gotten no answers.

“Krise came in and took over after Brandywine Transportation and it’s been like night and day,” driver Sue Ellen Andreas said. “I no longer feel like I don’t want to get up at 5:30 a.m. I’m proud to say I’m a Krise employee.”

Serge Hill said while he’ll likely drive for Rohrer so he can stay local in Jim Thorpe, the current family atmosphere Krise has fostered will disappear.

“You’ll be removing a great team and if it breaks apart, I think you’ll have problems this fall,” Hill said. “Maybe a few of us will work for Rohrer but you won’t have this great group.”

Figura said the district will be in contact with Rohrer to make sure items they promised during negotiations are being followed through.

“If those things don’t happen, we will have a conversation about it,” Figura said. “I appreciate everything you have done as bus drivers. I understand people have put years and years into the job. We hear you.”