St. Louis families faced chaos on Monday after three bus vendors abruptly withdrew, leaving many without transportation on the first school day of 2024-25. St. Louis Public Schools have been attempting to shore up its transport plans since Missouri Central School Bus Co. ended its contract in March, citing financial and driver shortages. Despite employing other bus companies, metro buses, and taxis, last-minute vendor withdrawals left parents coordinating rides.
"Bus and driver shortages continue to lead to disruptions," stated the district in a Saturday announcement that the vendors had pulled out. Some parents received gas cards to transport their children, while district officials worked on alternative solutions. Volunteer efforts emerged to ensure students reached school safely. Tracy Fantini, who runs a carpooling group for St. Louis parents, reported a mix of successes and failures, emphasizing that transportation is crucial for students' education.
Xtra Care Transportation, initially set to provide six buses for 1,000 students, let the district know it was out on Saturday. Parents linked to this vendor received notifications and gas cards. Another vendor, Shuttles Pro, scaled down its bus provision from 45 to 25, affecting numerous families. District spokesperson George Sells assured parents that the district would explore all options. The situation reflects a larger trend in school transportation issues, similar to recent problems in Kentucky's largest district. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)