Transportation Supervisor William Loomis suggested a plan to replace the current school buses with a new fleet by going through a lease vendor instead of buying new buses outright. (Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – At the Norwich City School budget meeting wednesday night Transportation Supervisor William Loomis suggested a plan to replace the current school buses with a new fleet. But instead of purchasing a new fleet outright, Loomis suggested the school consider leasing.

Loomis said in regards to the cost of repairs to the current fleet of buses, “This coming August we will have one bus that will be in warranty. So we can fully expect those costs to climb," said Loomis in regards to the cost of repairs to the current fleet of buses.”

Loomis states that after doing in-depth research, the most cost-effective strategy would be to sign a five year lease with a school bus lease vendor. Loomis did not name a specific vendor, but did say that he has gotten "a few quotes from different places."

"We can essentially lease a fleet of buses for less local money than we could purchase four buses for," said Loomis.

He stated that it would cost about $43,000 to $50,000 from local the share fund to lease the entire fleet. Last spring the school had four buses out of order. If they were to replace those buses it would have cost $47,000 to $48,000 to replace four buses.

"It would not only replace the fleet but reduce a lot of our costs going forward as well," he said.