Bus vendor cancellations create chaos as school opens in St. Louis
Many St. Louis families faced a chaotic first day of school after three bus vendors pulled out at the last minute and left hundreds of parents scrambling to get their kids to classes
ST. LOUIS — The first day of school was chaotic for many St. Louis families Monday after three bus vendors pulled out at the last minute, leaving hundreds of parents scrambling to get their kids to classes.
St. Louis Public Schools has been struggling to devise a plan to get kids to classes since March, when Missouri Central School Bus Co. canceled its 2024-25 school year contract with the district, which serves about 19,600 students. Unable to find a single vendor as a replacement, the solution involved a combination of using other school bus companies, metro buses, taxis and other shuttle services.
But the district announced Saturday that three vendors provided notice this month that they wouldn't be able to provide buses, after all. While some parents were given gas cards to pay for transporting their own kids to school, the district was still working on alternative plans.
“As a result of bus and driver shortages, this continues to lead to disruptions for St. Louis Public Schools,” a statement from the district read. “We understand the challenges that bus and driver shortages have presented for our families, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions and minimize disruptions to our students.”
Parents and volunteers spent Monday morning standing at bus stops and taking other steps to help make sure that kids were safe and that their rides showed up. Others worked to coordinate rides.
Tracy Fantini was among those who volunteered at a bus stop. She has a sixth grader and a sophomore in St. Louis schools. They carpool, and Fantini
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