Framingham Schools 20 Bus Drivers Short Ahead Of First Day

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Bus driver struggles are continuing in Framingham as the public school district closes in on the opening day.

In a letter to families, Executive Director of Finance and Operations Lincoln Lynch said the district will start the year with 57 drivers. To run most effectively, the district should have 77.

"Due to the driver shortage with which we are faced, students who requested transportation but are considered ineligible per School Committee Policy and Massachusetts General Laws may not be provided a ride to and from school," Lynch said.

"More specifically, School Committee Policy EEAA and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71 Section 68 define 'ineligible students' as those in Grades K-6 living less than 2 miles from their assigned school and all students in Grades 7-12."

Most middle school and all high school students are technically ineligible, officials said, but the district does bus those students when possible. Elementary students will be most affected by the driver shortage, Lynch said.

"In the background, we are working as hard as we can to increase the number of buses we can use to transport our students by calling other school bus companies, coach bus companies and any other transportation company in the area that may be able to help," Lynch said.

This comes after bus drivers in Framingham nearly went on strike in May.

But bus workers for North Reading Transportation, who drive the buses for Framingham Public Schools, "overwhelmingly" ratified a new contract that includes wage increases, Teamsters 401(k) with company contributions beginning in the second year and holiday and attendance bonuses for 64 workers, Teamster Local 170 announced.

Council members voted unanimously to re-bid the bus contract for four years, starting during the 2023-2024 school year. The vote would have been nullified had a strike taken place. The School Committee also voted unanimously to rebid.

Framingham Public Schools was in year two of a five-year contract with NRT, who is contracted to provide 77 drivers for 77 bus routes, a number they haven't met the entire school year, officials said.