There were some bumps in the road for Dallas ISD’s new bus service on the first day of school. The district started its own transportation service after Dallas County Schools, the previous provider, was ordered to close following an NBC 5 investigation.
In a few months, the district had to hire more than 1,100 people to fill positions within its transportation department.
“We are still short a few drivers,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa. “We are going to be monitoring the bus service the entire week, and we’re going to get it right."
Our partners at The Dallas Morning News report the first day of school was met with late buses and a clogged customer service hotline.
For some campuses, buses were 30 or more minutes late for both morning arrival and afternoon departure. In some instances, parents told the district that their students' buses didn't arrive at all.
“We arrived at my daughter’s bus stop at 6:45 a.m. and we waited and waited,” said Lisa King whose daughter attends Sidney Lanier Vanguard Elementary School. “I never saw a bus at all. It was 7:25 a.m. and there was no bus. It would be nice if the kids would establish a routine the first day of school instead of wondering if they are going to get to class on time.”
Parents are hopeful Dallas ISD will correct the issues. To prevent long wait times on the customer service bus hotline, the district is adding people to answer the phones.
Robyn Harris, Director of News & Information at Dallas ISD, said they've heard from parents about different trouble spots.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Harris said one particular area they are working on is bus routes that take students to specialty or magnet programs, like Sidney Lanier Vanguard Elementary School.
"I know they are specifically looking at that route to see how they can improve that, and going forward that's what we plan to do," said Harris.
Harris asks parents to be patient during this time, and to continue to report any issues to 972-925-4BUS.
