Bus Driver Shortages Prompt Lower Merion Schools Emergency Plan

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Lower Merion School District is warning parents and guardians of possible transportation issues due to school bus driver shortages in the region.

In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Robert Copeland said while the district has enough drivers to make daily runs, the threat of shortages presents possible issues for families.

Copeland shared the district's emergency plan to prepare families in the event of a shortage, which he said would most likely impact morning bus runs rather than afternoon runs.

Below are details on the plan:

• Families on the impacted route will receive an early morning email, text message and robocall
• There will be no transportation provided for high school students on that route
  • HS staff will be notified and students from that route will be able to join their classes via Zoom.
  • Impacted students from that route who join their classes via Zoom will not be marked absent for the day.
• Transportation for middle school students on that route will be approximately one hour late.
  • MS staff will be notified and students from that route who are late will be excused.
• Transportation for elementary school students on that route will be approximately 30 minutes late.
  • ES staff will be notified and students from that route who are late will be excused.

"This plan was designed to minimize the impact to students as much as possible," Copeland said. "Families of students whose bus routes are impacted will receive notifications via email, text message and robocall early in the morning if the plan is implemented. Our hope is that only one route would be impacted per day, but it is possible – depending on the severity of the driver shortage – that more than one route may be affected."

Parents and guardians are urged to make plans for how their children might get to school if their bus route is canceled or delayed.

The district advised families to discuss driving options with other parents and guardians from their child’s bus stop.

Kids who carpool are urged to wear masks while in a car with people who are not members of their own household and windows should be kept open if possible.

Elementary school parents/guardians who need morning childcare due to the delayed bus can choose to deliver their child to the Right At School early care option on a drop-in basis. LMSD will cover the cost of the child’s care for that morning. Visit the Right At School website to register children in advance.

The district is looking for more drivers. Anyone who is interested in becoming a driver should visit the district's website here to fill out an application.

"We hope that we will not have to implement the Driver Shortage Emergency Plan, but thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation, should implementation be necessary," Copeland said.