Outsourcing rural school transportation: A Brazilian handbook for practice at the municipal level

School transportation program as means to improve public education in a minor rural town in Northeastern Brazil

“…Despite this, some students complain about overcrowding, lack of comfort, insecurity, long itineraries, inadequately maintained roads and slowness. These results corroborate the findings of studies by Carvalho et al (2010) about overcrowding, by Cruz et al (2010) and Sakellariou et al (2017), who highlight safety as a negative point; from Pinheiro (2013) who shows dissatisfaction with comfort; and Santos (2010) who points out that students are subjected to irregular and delayed transport services. As recommendations common to Bucheanu's research (2018), they suggest increasing safety and comfort to passengers in addition to reducing travel times.…”

“…As recommendations common to Bucheanu's research (2018), they suggest increasing safety and comfort to passengers in addition to reducing travel times. It is essential to improve planning and management of transport services (CARVALHO et al, 2010;CRUZ et al, 2010;PINHEIRO, 2013).…”

“…Analyzing school transportation programs in Brazil, Cruz et al (2010) emphasize they are still characterized by inefficient contractual practices, poor control, and lack of legal instruments to penalize inadequate services. As a result, this often leads to operators providing services according to their own interests.…”

“…In addition, problems related to overcrowding (CARVALHO et al, 2010), seat comfort, environmental conditions, cleanliness, and vehicle conservation status were also highlighted (LOPES et al, 2020;PINHEIRO, 2013). Moreover, vehicle safety was evaluated as poor in some situations (CRUZ et al, 2010;SAKELLARIOU et al, 2017). For Cruz et al (2010), Santos (2010) and Schuh et al (2015), the routes are usually inadequate, often with poorly maintained roads.…”

“…Moreover, vehicle safety was evaluated as poor in some situations (CRUZ et al, 2010;SAKELLARIOU et al, 2017). For Cruz et al (2010), Santos (2010) and Schuh et al (2015), the routes are usually inadequate, often with poorly maintained roads. Besides, commute time is also important, as students are subject to long journeys over long distances (SANTOS, 2010;MARTINS, 2010).…”