West Side Transportation, a school bus company located a few miles west of Nicollet, has been supplementing Cleveland School’s bus transportation for three years now.
But, because West Side buses display the name of the school they are serving far more prominently than their own logo, you might never know their buses weren’t owned by the school.
“We recognize the school is very important, and by putting the school’s name on the bus we are helping others to recognize the same,” explained Mary Fischer, who, along with husband Harold, owns West Side. “It feels good to ride in a bus that has your school’s name on it.”
Reliability counts
Currently, West Side has five regular to-and-from school routes for Cleveland and will cover most activities for the 2026/27 school year.
While originally, the school contracted West Side as a short-term solution, it has become an essential partner that ensures Cleveland School can reliably and safely transport its students every day, said superintendent Dustin Bosshart.
“For many years Cleveland operated a fully in-house busing program, employing its own drivers and director. About three years ago, as longtime drivers began retiring, the district faced a serious shortage and could no longer staff all routes and activity trips on its own. Reaching out to West Side filled that immediate gap. Since then, the partnership has steadily expanded, and West Side has consistently delivered dependable coverage for both regular routes and extracurricular transportation.”
That reliability matters for several practical reasons, Bosshart said:
Students get to school and home on time, which supports attendance, learning and family schedules. Furthermore, by contracting with West Side, the district avoids last-minute cancellations or reduced service that would otherwise disrupt the school day and after-school programs.
Also, the arrangement gives the district flexibility: it retains oversight of its transportation program while gaining surge capacity and specialized support without having to rebuild an entire internal workforce overnight.
And all the while, safety and professionalism remain high because West Side brings experienced drivers and established operating standards that complement Cleveland’s own expectations.
“In short, the partnership with West Side has moved from an emergency stop-gap to a stable, high-quality extension of Cleveland’s transportation system,” Bosshart said. “It protects the continuity of service that families and the school community depend on, and it demonstrates how a well-managed public-private collaboration can solve a real operational challenge while keeping student needs at the center.”
About West Side
The Fischers founded West Side in July 2016 when they bought a company owned by Nate and Cheryl Bode.
It strictly transports school-age children age three and up. The company currently employs a dozen but is actively searching for more drivers.
Daughter Mary Gair is all around assistant manager while Harold and their son Albert manage the shop and buses. Mary Fischer focuses on managing the office; however, all four take over driving duties on any given day, she said.
The Fischer’s son Jeremy also drives when he is available. Grandchildren Cecelia Gair and Charlie Gair, both students at CHS, and Michael Fischer have also been an active part of the bus company.
Besides Cleveland, West Side also supports St. Clair and Nicollet High Schools and a few private schools.
Cleveland School transportation director Nick Klaseus has been integral to the success of the partnership, said Mary Fischer.
“He has worked hard to make sure we have any and all information we have needed.”
The route drivers stay mostly the same from day to day; however, trips are scheduled by their availability, she said. The Fischer’s know that, at the end of the day, the drivers make the company go around.
“Our drivers are one of the most important and valuable parts of our bus family. We care about them and their families.”
Above: Volleyball players load a bus on Saturday morning...
…while driving them was Harold Fischer.
West Side Transport was part of Cleveland’s Cherry Creek Days parade on August 9. Throwing candy is Charlie Gair.