Boston Public Schools Covers All Bus Routes, Day After Driver Shortage
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Boston school officials say all bus routes have been covered a day after hundreds of charter school and special education students were stranded because there weren't enough drivers.
About 400 charter school and special education students who started classes Monday were stranded when there were not enough drivers to fill 175 routes.
A school department spokesman says the number of routes was consolidated to about 150 for Tuesday, and more drivers showed up for work.
Some drivers did more than one route and some supervisors helped out. Some buses were late.
Officials had told parents to prepare alternate transportation arrangements, just in case.
Bus drivers are seeking a new contract. A wildcat driver strike last October stranded thousands of children.
Traditional public schools open next week.
"We have to assess and see where things stand," said Boston Public Schools spokesman Lee McGuire.
"Again the driver's union continues to tell us everything is fine, you have nothing to worry about. Just like yesterday though, we have buses that run in the afternoon as well. Yesterday we were able to patch it together. But it took a lot of work to get there."
Families can check the status of their school bus online at http://schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org or by calling the Transportation Hotline at (617) 635-9520.
Boston Public Schools Say All Bus Routes Covered
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