Hawaii school bus contractors have flown in from around the state to urge the Board of Education to reject the proposed cuts to student transportation services.

The Department of Education is making its formal recommendation to the board today on how it should close a $17 million shortfall in the school bus budget.

Representatives from the major bus companies testified this morning that the proposed reductions would cost jobs and increase truancy.

Board Chair Don Horner said the department tried to work with the vendors but has received little help. He also pointed at the Legislature for not appropriating sufficient funds.

Lawmakers provided less than the DOE wanted for next year because they said not enough has been done to curb escalating contract prices.