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Upwards of 300 students in Hamden had to find alternate transportation for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 30, after parents received short notice that a bus driver shortage was going to cause havoc for some families.
School officials said that the district was notified by First Student Bus Company on Friday, Aug. 27 that there were not enough bus drivers to cover all routes, noting that there is a nationwide school bus driver shortage.
With short notice, the district was forced to issue an announcement to parents over the weekend as they scrambled to cover bus routes. However, seven wound up being impacted by the shortage.
“We were just informed by the bus company that they do not have coverage for (seven) bus routes affecting Hamden Public Schools, St. Rita’s, and Sacred Heart Academy,” the PTA said. “There is a nationwide bus shortage which is impacted many school districts across the country.”
According to the PTA, updates were expected on Monday as they work to make adjustments, which includes consolidating or altering bus routes.
Officials said that the shortage of drivers led to morning delays and is expected to impact the afternoon runs. Students who were impacted by the bus transportation issue will not be listed as being late to class, they noted.
“If possible, we are requesting that families use public transportation, carpools, or personal transportation,” they wrote in a statement. “Students impacted by delayed or absent bus transportation will not be registered as tardy to school.
“Thank you for your understanding and flexibility in this very difficult matter. Again, we understand that this information presents considerable obstacles to our families and we apologize. “
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