Shortage of RPS bus drivers may lead to delays

(ABC 6 News) – (ABC 6 News) – Rochester Public Schools says a shortage of bus drivers and school buses may lead to increased challenges as COVID-19 continues to cause illness in the community.

In a letter to RPS families, the district wrote:

RPS said at this time, the district can successfully operate all of our bus and van routes for our students. However, as COVID-19 continues to cause illness in our community, we face a severe shortage of drivers, and unlike earlier this year, we have utilized all of our substitute drivers. As a result, we may need to alter van and bus route times, and you may experience delays in your van or bus’s pick-up and drop-off times.

“The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. We are aware conditions in the winter are sometimes less than ideal, and we do not want our students waiting at bus stops beyond their scheduled times.”

RPS will continue to utilize our Skylert message system with email, text, and/or calls to families regarding late vans and buses or alterations in van and bus times.

RPS is asking parents and caregivers to call or email its office if they are assigned a bus route but do not use the transportation service, so they can be removed from the roster to help with routing.

Families can contact RPS by emailing transportation@rochesterschools.org or by calling (507) 328-4260.