![]() as we add more net new drivers, that doubled-up run will go away and we'll be able to avoid the late buses," said Lynch. "The intent was positive: to bring more students to school instead of having them walk or get rides from their parents. Lynch said NRT has 14 candidates in the pipeline to become drivers in Framingham. 5-10, while Dunning Elementary School's buses were not late at all during that period.Īs they cope with the driver shortage, the Framingham Public Schools have doubled up runs: drivers begin routes earlier in the morning so they have time to do another run, bringing another busload of students to school. At Harmony Grove Elementary School, 14% of buses were late from Nov. The percentage varies among different schools. Late is defined as arriving at school after the opening bell by a minute or more. Some buses - about 5% - are still running late, according to transportation data provided by the district. The National Guard is still assisting the district with conducting COVID-19 testing.Īs for traditional bus service, NRT is still short 10 drivers, providing the district with 67 drivers rather than the 77 required by contract. In addition to Framingham, they provided drivers to Brockton, Chelsea, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Quincy, Revere, Wachusett Regional, Woburn and Worcester. State officials announced the mission ended on Nov. Eventually, up to 250 Guard members were made available. Charlie Baker activated the National Guard to help local communities with school transportation. The transportation company is part of NRT Bus Inc., which the schools contract with for big yellow school buses. The district uses Van Pool for special education transportation needs. The district’s vendor, Van Pool, now has 73 drivers working daily - 100% coverage. 1, the National Guard is no longer transporting Framingham students, Executive Director of Finance and Operations Lincoln Lynch IV reported during last week’s School Committee meeting. ![]() The assistance was offered to districts from the state to alleviate the impact of a nationwide bus driver shortage.īut as of Nov. Drivers offered by the National Guard cannot drive yellow school buses, as they are not licensed as commercial drivers. FRAMINGHAM - The school district no longer requires help from the National Guard in filling gaps with special education transportation.Įarlier this fall, about 20 Guard members drove Framingham students with special needs in small vans to and from school. ![]()
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