Attleboro Parents Not Happy with School Bus Delays

Through the first week of school parents have been concerned with their children arriving home late from school after taking the bus.

Parents have brought up the late bus issue in recent days, Attleboro School Committee Member Jim Stors said during the Attleboro School Committee meeting Monday night. Attleboro Superintendent Pia Durkin said the schools have also fielded calls from concerned parents.

Several kindergarten parents at were upset on Thursday afternoon because the bus never picked up their children for their first day of school. Students are are expected to begin afternoon kindergarten at 12:50. It was 12:46 and the bus had not arrived to tranport students to school.

Stors said the issues come up every year and are usually worked out after a few weeks. The city's administration has asked for patience from parents.

“It will get better after the first week,” said Attleboro Schools Business Manager Mark Furtado.

According to Furtado numerous factors in the first week may be causing the delays. During the first week of school the buses pick up every child who is waiting at the bus stop, regardless of whether they qualify for bus pick up or are at the wrong bus stop, according to Furtado. This means there are likely more students than usual for the to be dropped off, which is something that is corrected after the first week.

Additionally, the students will settle in and be more comfortable with their routines and will be able to get on the buses quicker after school, allowing it to depart earlier.

Regarding the length of the bus rides, state law allows for maximum of one hour, but that is counting from the time the bus departs, not from the time school is let out.

“If there are any transportation issues please let us know,” Durkin said.