Busing Issues Lessening For Howard County Public School System Families: School

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Parents of Howard County Public School System students were informed by the district that "significant" improvements have been made in bus arrival times now that school start times have been adjusted.

Before the start time adjustments, upwards of 200 buses were delayed more than 15 minutes for the morning, afternoon and both routes every day.

"Now, delays are more aligned to what we see any other year resulting from unexpected traffic conditions, weather, mechanical issues or drivers needing to take time to provide student support," the district disclosed.

During the first week of school, HCPSS officials and its new transportation company Zum suspended 20 bus routes, forcing families to find alternate means of transportation. Scott Washington, HCPSS COO, resigned the week after school started, a week filled with bus route suspensions and more than 2,000 students without a ride to school.

One parent told WJZ that the confusion at the start of the school year caused her middle school-aged daughter to climb on the wrong bus.

"My daughter actually jumped on the high school bus this morning, not realizing it," parent Nikki Marlatt-Young said. "Then they got down the road, and then she told the bus driver that she was on the wrong bus, that she's a middle schooler and then he let her off right there."

Marlatt-Young said the bus driver left her daughter on a busy street.

"No sidewalks," Marlatt-Young said. "It's a huge busy intersection with a great deal of accidents. You're going to let her out at that intersection of all places? So yeah, not to mention she could've been snatched."

Adjustments to Tier 1 middle school routes were implemented Monday. Adjustments include timing of routes so buses arrive at the school at 7:35 a.m. instead of the current 7:30 a.m. targeted arrival. An arrival of 15 minutes before the start of school is consistent with prior years for middle schools, the district noted.

Also, HCPSS transportation contractors are starting to transition midday routes that serve students in half-day pre-kindergarten and RECC programs from vans to buses to create greater efficiencies in the transportation system and better service to students, the district stated.

Related:

• HCPSS Anticipates Bus Delays, Route Suspensions For 2nd Week Of School
• HCPSS Chief Operating Officer Resigns Amidst Bussing Problems: Report
• More Suspended Bus Routes Restored For Howard County Students
• HCPSS Students Will Have New Start Times To Help With Bus Delays
• Mobile App To Help Howard Co. Parents Keep Tabs On Kids' School Buses
• School Bus Woes Worry HoCo Executive Who 'Shares Frustration' With Parents
• Lengthy Bus Delays, Not Enough Drivers Plague HCPSS 1st Day Of School
• Bus Driver Shortage Means Many HoCo Routes Will Double Up: HCPSS
• Last 3 Bus Routes Restored For HCPSS Students: Superintendent
• New School Start Times Won't Fix Busing Problem, Driver Says: Report