After 40 years with Monticello Bus Service, the Monticello School district feels their transition to a new provider is going well.

Superintendent of Monticello Schools, Dr. Vic Zimmerman explains the transition has gone as good as he had hoped it would. The district was forced to go out for bid by state law for bus providers and Monticello Bus Company did not have the lowest bid and due to tough financial times for the district, they were forced to switch providers.

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Dr. Zimmerman points out, any given day the district could have 800 to 1000 students riding the bus from grades K-12. He says with numbers like that there is always the possibility something will come up, but the key to eliminating problems is communication.

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The decision to leave Monticello Bus Service last year was not one that was easy for the district. Dr. Zimmerman says Central Illinois Bus's bid came in $100-thousand below Monticello Bus Service. While he is disappointed they had to end their contract with them, he says Monticello Bus is still doing well.

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Dr. Zimmerman feels the district is working well with Central Illinois Bus and they are providing a high level service.

Major changes could be coming to school districts transportation this year from Springfield. Governor Quinn could completely cut transportation reimbursements to put the cost burden on the tax payers.