COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A report on South Carolina's pilot project on privatizing school bus maintenance shows the contracted bus shop cost the state more money and required more direct state supervision than shops operated by the education agency.
The report comes as Gov. Nikki Haley seeks input on how to privatize the state's school bus fleet.
Maintenance for buses serviced in Mount Pleasant has been handled by General Diesel since March 2008. The pilot project was the result of former Gov. Mark Sanford's push to privatize the fleet.
Company president Ron Hallman says it was a learning process and changes have been made. He said the age of the buses presented challenges.
The report by TransPar shows the state spent about $1,500 more per bus at the contracted shop than at shops statewide.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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