A Washington school district has found an unconventional way to combat soaring fuel costs: sending its bus drivers across the state border to Idaho to refuel. The East Valley School District, located near the Washington-Idaho border, is saving up to $100 per tank by taking this detour, according to officials.
Rising Costs Prompt Creative Solutions
The district spent approximately $45,000 on diesel fuel in April alone, a significant increase of $16,700 compared to the same month last year. Neale Rasmussen, the district's chief financial officer, told The Spokesman-Review, 'We're just trying to survive, because we have to buy the diesel. So if we can't save the money there, we're going to have to make cuts in other areas just to save for the diesel.'
The district operates 34 buses, including six with 100-gallon tanks and 28 with tanks ranging from 50 to 60 gallons. These buses cover a sprawling 100-square-mile area. Currently, about one-quarter of the drivers are making the trip to Idaho, where fuel is significantly cheaper, saving up to $100 per tank.
Driver Collaboration Key
Drivers are using their two-way radios to share information about which Idaho stations offer the best prices, helping the district reduce its fuel expenses. Michelle Monzingo, East Valley's interim transportation director, praised the drivers' ingenuity: 'That's what's just killing school districts right now, you're always in the red with fuel, even in a regular year.' She added, 'It's just been a savings all across the board from what I can tell at such an early stage.'
The district's bus barn is located just three miles from AmeriMart in Post Falls, Idaho, the closest fuel station across the border. East Farms Elementary, the district's easternmost school, is only one mile from that station. The district is uniquely positioned as the only one in Spokane County bordering Idaho, giving it easy access to cheaper fuel.
Fuel Price Disparity
According to AAA, the average diesel price in Spokane County is currently $6.51 per gallon, up from $4.37 last year. In Idaho, the average is $5.62, up from $3.48 a year ago. This nearly $1 difference per gallon adds up quickly for the district. Additionally, Washington state taxes fuel at about 55 cents per gallon, while Idaho taxes it at 33 cents per gallon, further increasing savings.
Prior to January, state-issued fuel cards only worked at certain pumps, but that restriction was lifted, allowing drivers more flexibility to seek out cheaper options. The idea to cross the border originated from the bus drivers themselves, Monzingo noted. In her 28 years in school transportation, she said she has never seen such creative problem-solving.
Broader Context
Gas prices are expected to rise further as Memorial Day approaches, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions. The conflict in Iran and blockages in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil passes, continue to impact fuel costs. On Tuesday, the national average for regular fuel reached $4.53, up nearly 50 cents from a month ago.
