Bastrop ISD will increase its bus fleet from 108 to 129—all equipped with seat belts—and add more bus routes by the 2026-27 school year after trustees approved an amendment to the district’s agreement with GoldStar Transit.
Two-minute impact
During a regular meeting Jan. 28, Deputy Superintendent Kristi Lee presented the amendment, which resulted in a 5.5% increase in the amount paid to GoldStar. Lee noted that 77% of the current fleet is equipped with seat belts; however, 23% are not.
This change comes nearly one year after a fatal school bus crash in Bastrop County that killed a Tom Green preschool student and one adult during a field trip, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
“You know, with the incident happening in our own backyard ... we’ve been pleased with the communications [with GoldStar],” BISD board President Ashley Mutschink said. “It seems like there's a good working relationship there.”
What’s changing?
Under the revised agreement:
- 40 new school buses
- Five new activity buses
- 12 new bus routes
Additional bus routes will also be added in both school years.
“It allows us to reduce the time that kids are on buses when we can open up new routes, which is a good thing,” Lee said.
Breaking it down
2025-26 school year
- 36 new buses, including 24 replacements—23 for seat belt additions
- Five additional activity buses, resulting in five each for Cedar Creek and Bastrop schools
- Eight new bus routes
- Four additional seat belt-equipped buses
- Four new bus routes
The amended contract also includes a 3% pay raise for district bus drivers, which Lee said helps with recruitment and retention.
What they’re saying
“I’ve been very impressed with GoldStar and their ability to be responsive to our needs, sometimes at the last minute making adjustments and finding ways for kids,” trustee Billy Moore said. “It seems like they just magically show up and find a way of getting [students] to the campus they need to be at.”
