Edgerton bus company calling it quits after 65 years
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Driver Nicki Schaffitzel looks for traffic at a turn while taking Edgerton Elementary School children home from school. The Burns Bus Company lost its contract with Edgerton School District.
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Driver Nicki Schaffitzel radios the Burns Bus garage after having some trouble with one of her bus' doors.
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Edgerton Elementary School students make their way to buses after school.
EDGERTON — Bus driver Nicki Schaffitzel threw a 1,000-yard stare into the rearview mirror of school bus No. 2 as she accelerated up a hill heading out of Edgerton.
Schaffitzel scanned for traffic behind her as her bus rumbled and its dashboard-mounted fans wheezed.
It was 90 degrees, the kids were rambunctious and the bus door kept sticking. A student had forgotten her purse at the high school and another had cut her finger and needed a tissue to stop the bleeding.
For Schaffitzel, a driver for Burns Bus, it was a typical late-spring afternoon route, except for one thing: When school ends today, so does Burns Bus.
A small family-owned school bus company, Burns Bus has held a contract for student transportation with the Edgerton School District since 1946, when founders Paul and Bill Burns started the Edgerton company.
But this spring, Burns lost the contract. The district, which has seen declines in revenues in recent years, opted to instead hire Riteway Bus Service, estimating the change would save about $140,000 a year.
Riteway has a fleet of 500 school buses statewide, and its client list includes 25 school districts. By comparison, Burns has 18 buses, about 30 employees and just one client—Edgerton School District.
The lost contract spells the end of Burns' 65-year run.
"There's so many stories. I could write a book. But right now, my mind's just in a fog," said Burns Bus owner Larry Burns.
He's run the bus company since 1971, when he took over for his father, Paul.
While his drivers were off on afternoon routes, Burns, 61, sorted through paperwork on the pending sale of his bus garage, which is on Mechanic Street near downtown Edgerton. Riteway plans to buy the garage and Burns' fleet, and the deal could close July 1, Burns said.
Meanwhile, most of Burns' 26 drivers have applied with Riteway. The company plans to hire them to drive Edgerton routes, Burns said.
Burns, who now plans to retire, said he's not surprised the school district severed ties with his company. He said small school bus contractors have dwindled to nil, and he compared Burns Bus to a small-town cobbler who can't compete with chain shoe stores.
"It's just a trend," he said.
His wife, Susan Burns, said the last few weeks have felt surreal.
"I don't know if every business is like this, but our workers, they're a gift and an asset. They're our family, our workers, and pretty soon they won't be," she said.
A long ride
Schaffitzel, who has driven for Burns for almost 30 years, has busing ingrained in her the way farming or preaching is for some. Growing up in rural Elk Mound, her dad owned school buses, and her mother drove one of them.
"I started driving a bus because it's what I knew," Schaffitzel said.
For Burns Bus, Schaffitzel has driven through snowdrifts, freezing rain and hard times in her own life. In return, she said, the company has treated her like family.
For instance, when she underwent cancer treatments a few years ago, Burns allowed her to work half days, driving just in the afternoon. Schaffitzel's not sure how another company would have handled her illness.
"You can't take for granted how you're treated in a family-owned company. Not everyone's so lucky," she said.
As Schaffitzel navigated tree-lined hills south of Edgerton, William Buccholz, a fourth-grader on the bus, chattered about how many of the roads nearby are listed in local author Sterling North's novel "Rascal."
He said in small towns such as Edgerton, little things such as road names are important to people, even enough to write about them. Switching topics, Buccholz pointed to a window on the bus that hung crooked. It wouldn't shut.
"That's been broken a while," he said.
Buccholz said he's heard a new bus company is taking over next year.
"Maybe that means I'll get to ride a brand new bus," he said.
Schaffitzel smiled. As a bus driver, she's heard a million kid conversations. She never tires of them.
"With this job, you have to really like the kids. I mean really love them," she said.
Last stop
Schaffitzel rounded a turn on a narrow street in the bottoms by the Rock River. Her bus was nearly empty. The radio crackled and a high, warbling voice echoed out.
"Hi, Gramma," the voice cried.
"That's Quincy, my grandson. He's two-and-a-half," Schaffitzel said, beaming.
Schaffitzel said Quincy often waits at the bus garage while she's on routes, and sometimes Burns' staff allows him to hop on the radio. It's a nicety she's not sure a larger bus company would allow.
"Probably little things like that you won't be able to do anymore," she said.
Schaffitzel's applied to drive an Edgerton route for Riteway. She said she might find out this week if she's hired.
No matter what happens, Burns said he wishes the best for his drivers and their families. Even after his garage changes hands, he plans to visit from time to time.
Burns said he'll be relieved to lay down the weight of worry over students. For half his life, he's felt it every day.
"It's been a run—millions of miles and a lot of responsibility. The kids were mine, ours, for a certain time of day. And that always weighs on your mind, the safety of so many children," he said.
There's still a little time for the old company, a few more routes.
"We've still got a day or two left. We've given safe service all these years," he said. "I hope we're remembered at least for that. I don't know."
Jun 13, 2011 at 8:12 p.m.
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To MaxCap - Thank you so much for the update on Mrs. Head....sure glad she is still amongst the living! :)
Jun 11, 2011 at 2:57 a.m.
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"calling it quits" is way different than "put out of business" -The Edgerton Reporter at least had the guts to say (or quote someone) that the vote to accept the new company effectively put Burns out of business.
Will the new company do as much giving to the community that Burns did? Lots of organizations and groups benefited from use of their buses and vans.
Maybe the school board saved money on paper (I'd like to know if the bid was really equal services for equal money) but in doing so I think they may have just screwed the town they supposedly serve.
Jun 10, 2011 at 8:44 p.m.
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Riteway is a FAMILY owned company just like Burns. Just because they are larger does not mean they not a good company! Riteway has a great safety record and we have great drivers as well. The Bast family has 3 generations into Riteway. Get your facts straight before you shoot off your mouth.
Jun 10, 2011 at 7:51 p.m.
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Riteway used their considerable leverage to underbid Burns, to get yet another contract/terminal. That is how they do business, as does much of corporate America. In a couple years their costs will exceed that of Burns. Burns Bus also had great employee relations and didn't have major driver turnover issues, like the incoming company. To the Edgerton school board members patting themselves on the back for saving the district money, it will be way too late to go back when your costs sky rocket in the near future. Reality check.
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:22 p.m.
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Delma Head is very much alive and kicking, just saw her a few days ago.
Jun 10, 2011 at 1:16 p.m.
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Best wishes to the drivers and a belated thank you to all the school bus drivers I had from third grade on. Great bunch. One in particular, who has since passed away, was Delma Head. When we got too noisy, she always said the same thing in a loud stern voice that could knock over a brick wall, "LET'S SIMMER DOWNNNNNNN!" R.I.P. Mrs. H. :)
Jun 10, 2011 at 1:10 p.m.
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Its sad to lose companies like this, especially since the drivers are from the community and so many have driven the routes for decades if not generations. Good luck to Mr. Burns and his family...and to the drivers I hope Riteway picks you all to continue servicing the Edgerton School District.
Jun 10, 2011 at 12:44 p.m.
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just before this turns into a GM debate, I wish GM was still in business in Janesville, and I am not a former employee of there, but it was a sad day when they closed their doors.
Jun 10, 2011 at 12:25 p.m.
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Maxcap75 is right.....they are offered jobs, which is the noble thing for Riteway to do, so kudos to them...it's just like the GM thing, they could have went to Indiana (horrible State) and kept their jobs, but chose otherwise. If they (Burns Bus drivers) are out of work next year it was their choice.
Jun 10, 2011 at 11:24 a.m.
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Orange, you are an idiot. Why do you speak when you don't know the facts?? Riteway is also a family owned business, how do I know? Because I have driven for them for the past 17 years in Milton. The drivers there are being given first chance to hire on with Riteway and continue driving in Edgerton. Burns was a good company, but so is Riteway and they are working with the Edgerton drivers, some have choosen to retire or find other employment, that is up to them and I wish them all the best.
Jun 10, 2011 at 10:38 a.m.
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Orange, I didn't hear but Riteway Bus Service must be bringing in foreign employees from out of our community that won't care?
Jun 10, 2011 at 9:56 a.m.
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Don't cry folks, it's just capitalism at work. If you can't do it bigger, fast, and cheaper with less people, you're out of luck. It's why Wal-mart is so successful, and we all know how great all the mom and pop hardware stores and local drug stores fared, right? It's better this way, it's what Jesus would have wanted.
Jun 10, 2011 at 9:44 a.m.
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Edgerton BOE...just remember...you buy cheap, you get cheap ! You will NEVER get the kind of service you received from Burns from this new company.Instead of family, now you are just another client. I feel sorry for the kids and parents. Mr Burns...Thank you for your years of dedication, we need more people like you.
Jun 10, 2011 at 9:03 a.m.
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Does collective bargaining have anything at all to do with this story?
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This story is about a good family running a good business. Unfortunately for Burns, our economy is designed toward competition to provide the best service for the lowest cost. Edgerton needs to spend within budget constraints just like the US Government, the State of Wisconsin, and each of us. Edgerton does not have the luxury to raid road repair budgets, etc., like others have done to spend beyond their means.
Jun 10, 2011 at 8:51 a.m.
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Let's not forget a big hats off to Lawanna Schieldt for her long service in the day to day operatons as well. The article did not mention her and she has been a large part of Burns Bus for decades.
Jun 10, 2011 at 7:51 a.m.
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I remember riding that Burns bus in the early 50's. Bill Burns was always congenial and seemed to be caring. This was something you couldn't always expect from adults dealing with kids back then. I look back on those days with a broad smile knowing that Bill would sometimes have to use "reforming" words to quiet errant little monsters who were also my "friends", just like Bill. I found it difficult being trapped between the adult world and kid world but knew Bill was almost always right. Eventually the bus business grew and demanded more and more of the brother's time. I often think about playing ball in North's field, on the North side of the bus barn on Mechanic Street. I remember the North family having the business at the "bus barn" first. Does anyone else remember the details. I'd like to hear. I guess businesses continue to evovle just like us.
Jun 10, 2011 at 7:21 a.m.
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As a former resident of Edgerton, may I just say, Burns family and bus drivers, thank you for your service to our hometown. I didn't have to ride the bus to get to and from school, but did ride it for many athletic events. My grandfather drove a bus when I was small, and I know how well the Burns family treated him and my grandmother during and after his tenure with the company. Best wishes to all.
Jun 10, 2011 at 7:01 a.m.
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This story does not reveal the fact that the Burns Bus Co never has had to competitively compete for the contract, since 1946. The school board finally put the contract out for bid and Burns lost the contract. Which means the local taxpayers have most likely been picking up an inflated tab for decades. A previous article in the Edgerton Reporter put the annual savings at over $200,000.00 per year.
Burns probably did treat their employees good and that is commendable.
Jun 10, 2011 at 5:41 a.m.
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MAXCAP - How much money does taking away the collective bargaining rights(union busting) of the worker save the state - NONE and WALKER had to tell the TRUTH during a congressional hearing when asked by Rep. Dennis Kucinich. He tried to avoid the question, but had no place to hide this time. It does not lower the debt at all and Walker told the hearing the TRUTH finally. Watch it on the internet - it is easy to find - if you want the truth. Getting back to the Burns Co --A first class business that cares about the kids will be missed by all. I wish you guys could stay in business longer.
Jun 10, 2011 at 1:30 a.m.
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So the local school board shut down a local business. Awesome.
Jun 9, 2011 at 9:53 p.m.
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Looks like a good outcome for all.
Jun 9, 2011 at 9:09 p.m.
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Perhaps if the idiots in Madison would let the Governor do his job and stop protesting then we could save some money and put this state in the black and this crap would not happen!!!!!!!!!!
Jun 9, 2011 at 8:05 p.m.
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I feel bad for this company. Wisconsins government is going to start with the little guy and move to the big guy. I realize this saves the district money but the district wouldn't be so worried about it if they weren't facing cuts.
Jun 9, 2011 at 6:06 p.m.
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What a heartfelt story. The Burns have been able to provide financial stability for 30 employees. Their decades of safe driving and nurturing drivers, have given generations of children a haven of transport.
I salute Mr. Burns for being a local who took "care of his own"... Employees and his community's children, alike. Their is a reason we who live in small communities put such value in our locally ran companies. They are our neighbors, friends and in this story, a family who took special care of "precious cargo". Our children.
Thank you for your years of dedicated service... I pray the buyout is profitable for you, Mr. Burns. You are a man who has served your community well. Enjoy your retirement, knowing that generations of children had safe passage to school EVERYDAY, and that you truly DID make a difference in these little one's lives. May God bless you richly!
Jun 9, 2011 at 5:07 p.m.
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Good luck to the drivers, I hope Riteway treats them as well as Burns.
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