After a series of transportation snafus hampering back-to-school plans for students along 20 bus routes, the superintendent of schools for Howard County, Maryland, says the problem is beginning to subside.
“I am pleased to share that 11 of the 20 bus routes that were temporarily suspended last week will be restored for Tuesday morning,” Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano said in an email to families Sunday afternoon.
The school system is planning to update bus numbers and details on the ongoing bus issue with Zum Transportation contractors before Tuesday, Martirano said. Howard County schools listed the following bus routes as those temporarily suspended while it works to get additional drivers:
- Bus 1148 servicing Atholton High School and Cradlerock Elementary School
- Bus 1165 servicing Atholton High School and Wilde Lake Middle School
- Bus 1090 servicing Reservoir High School, Hammond Middle School and Forest Ridge Elementary School
- Bus 1201 servicing Long Reach High School, Phelps Luck Elementary School and Atholton Elementary School
- Bus 1144 servicing Atholton High School, Swansfield Elementary School and Waterloo Elementary School
- Bus 1176 servicing Atholton High School, Talbot Springs Elementary School and Waterloo Elementary School
- Bus 1089 servicing Hammond High School, Bollman Bridge Elementary School and Gorman Crossing Elementary School
- Bus 1070 servicing Hammond High School, Hammond Middle School and Guilford Elementary School
- Bus 1173 servicing Clarksville MS, Pointers Run Elementary School and Swansfield Elementary School
Martirano expects bus delays to continue amid “routing challenges” and “new compressed schedules.” This will especially impact schools starting at 8:40 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
“I know I have said it multiple times now, but it cannot be said enough how sorry I am that too many students, families and staff have endured a difficult first week of school related to transportation challenges. You have my total commitment to ensure this is fixed so the vast majority of the school year will operate the way our students and families deserve,” Martirano said.
Families should expect an additional update on Monday afternoon.
Pick up routes for students are expected to remain the same.
The update comes after the school district announced it was going through “final testing and quality control assurances” for a mobile application that will help keep families informed about bus statutes in the future.
