RIPTA Buses To Providence High Schools Impacted By Driver Shortage

PROVIDENCE, RI — Bus routes to Providence high schools are being missed or delayed due to what the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority says is a "critical shortage of staff."

On Thursday, this meant service disruptions on routes to four Providence high schools: Central, Classical, Mt. Pleasant and Hope.

RIPTA has added a "Service Disruptions" section on their website for riders to track their routes, stating that it will be updated at 6 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. with "missed school trips."

"We’re advising passengers to allow extra time in their commutes for delays or missed trips," officials said.

Those officials recommend taking an inbound bus to Kennedy Plaza and transferring to an alternative route, which is listed here.

According to the Providence Journal, five bus routes were canceled on Wednesday morning, potentially leaves dozens of students without a ride. The report said the agency is short 31 bus drivers, but has been actively recruiting to fill those spots.