School District No. 57 (SD57) has announced a solution to its ongoing school busing issue. SD57 has now hired Diversified Transportation to service a number of routes previously under-serviced.
Beginning in September Ohio-based company First Student, Inc., took over the school bussing contract from Diversified Transportation, which had been the SD57 busing contractor for the past 15 years.
However, First Student Inc. was unable to find drivers for a number of SD57 routes and cited a nation-wide bus driver shortage. The lack of drivers left many routes under-serviced throughout the school year which forced parents to find alternative options to get their children to and from school.
“Recognizing the importance of student attendance in student success, SD57 is pleased to share information about a solution to bussing challenges experienced by students and families during the beginning of the 2022/23 school year,” said SD57 Assistant Superintendent Lee Karpenko, in a news release.
“Beginning January 2023 Diversified Transportation will be providing student transportation services for a number of previously under-serviced routes within SD57 to ensure that all eligible riders are able to access transportation.”
Karpenko said route information will continue to be available on SD57 websites and both providers will be contacting bussing students and families with information related to stop locations and pickup/drop off times.
“The District appreciates that both providers were willing to work with us to design a solution that puts students first and ensure that students are transported to and safely home from school each day.”
Karpenko said in order to ensure stable and consistent service, the student transportation services in the SD57 will be serviced by both First Student and Diversified Transportation until June 2024.
