300 Students Affected By Canceled Bus Routes In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Seven bus routes were canceled on the first day of school in Hamden due to a bus driver shortage, forcing 300 students to find alternate transportation, according to multiple reports.

NBC Connecticut reported the school district was notified on Friday night by First Student Bus Company that there weren’t enough bus drivers to cover all the bus routes.

Officials were frustrated by the timing of the notice, saying they understand the shortage of bus drivers is an issue but if they were told five weeks ago, parents would have had more time to make arrangements, according to NBC Connecticut.

“We apologize for the short notice and recognize that this greatly impacts family schedules and planning,” officials said in a message to parents on Friday night, according to a post on the Hamden Middle School PTA’s Facebook page. “We too are frustrated by the short notice we have received. Consequently, we can expect significant delays at both morning and afternoon bus runs. If possible, we are requesting that families use public transportation, car pools, or personal transportation. Students impacted by delayed or absent bus transportation will not be registered as tardy to school. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility in this very difficult matter. Again, we understand that this information presents considerable obstacles to our families and we apologize.”

The canceled bus routes affected students at Bear Path Elementary School, Hamden Middle School, Hamden High School, West Woods Elementary School, Sacred Heart Academy and St. Rita School.

Tom Ariola, the chief operating and finance officer for Hamden Public Schools, told NBC Connecticut that the district worked through the weekend to get the special education routes covered.

Officials planned to meet with First Student Bus Company on Monday afternoon to find a way to improve the situation, according to WTNH News 8.

Read more at NBC Connecticut here and WTNH News 8 here.