The Yonkers Public Schools and the Board of Education realized on August 27, 2021, that hundreds of new students will not be bused to school for their first day on September 3, due to an shortage of bus drivers.
Calling it a “profound challenge, the school district released a short statement at 6pm on September 1, two days before the first day of school.
“A shortage of licensed bus drivers makes it impossible for the District’s seven vendors to provide the additional routes needed to transport 474 new students to school; this number increases daily with new enrollments. Urban school districts throughout the country are facing the same challenge. The Yonkers Public Schools transports 11,300 students on 464 yellow buses and vans. For the students who will not be receiving transportation this Friday, parents/guardians will be notified tomorrow, September 2, by the Transportation Department,” read the statement.
There are 26,000 students in the Yonekrs Public Schools. If the district transports 11,300 by school bus or van, then more than 15,000 older students take the Bee Line bus to school, while younger students walk with a family member or get dropped off.
More information on this development as it becomes availalble.
