Important Updates on Student Bus Routes and Transportation

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we navigated significant transportation challenges during the first week of school. Please find vital updates regarding our efforts to correct bus routes and outline what families can expect beginning Monday, August 31. 

1. The Original Routing Backlog is Resolved We are pleased to report that the original backlog of unassigned students—comprising all families who registered before July 31—has been completely resolved. If your child registered prior to July 31 and was waiting for a bus assignment, they now have a designated route. (Please note: students who registered after July 31 are currently being processed as part of our standard, ongoing enrollment procedures).
2. Route Optimizations & Potential Time Changes With the backlog cleared, we are moving into our standard route optimization phase, which naturally occurs during the first 3–4 weeks of every school year. Staff will be diligently fixing routing errors and addressing any safety concerns at stops. Please be aware that ride times may still be longer than usual, but they will be reviewed and adjusted with changes made over the course of the first month of school.

Important Notice for All Families: Because we have added previously unrouted students to our active system, families who already had a bus assignment may see adjustments to their bus arrival and departure times.

3. Drivers Begin Updated Routes on Monday, August 31 Leadership at all 12 of our bus lots gathered today to prepare updated run sheets. Our drivers will be operating on these new, optimized routes starting Monday morning.

Where to Check for Updated Route Times:

• Chipmunk App: Available Sunday afternoon. This reflects the immediate addition of new stops and time adjustments.
• ParentVUE: Available by Sunday evening following a scheduled district-wide system sync.

4. Transportation Leadership Transition As we work to stabilize our transportation systems for the future, we are also making strategic changes to leadership. Transportation Director Keba Baldwin has stepped down to pursue another professional opportunity, creating an avenue for new leadership to guide the department into its next chapter. We are entering a new phase focused on tackling long-standing, historic transportation challenges with the dedicated resources and systems needed for lasting stability. PGCPS has implemented a clear, comprehensive interim leadership structure to oversee daily operations immediately. Concurrently, we are launching a national search with a defined timeline to hire a permanent Director and Assistant Director of Transportation.
5. Join Us Wednesday, Sept. 2 for a Telephone Town Hall We invite you to join us for a Telephone Town Hall this Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. to hear updates from district leaders and ask questions regarding our ongoing transportation action plan. No registration is required. Families will receive an automatic phone call at 6 p.m. on September 2 that will connect them directly to the live broadcast. In the case a call is not received, the dial-in is 844-734-8766.

Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be available by calling 508-924-5155.

We recognize the frustration the first week of school caused for many, and we remain dedicated to transparency, rapid problem-solving, and providing the reliable service your family deserves.