680 Boston students stranded after 70 bus drivers skip work

By Globe Staff

More than 680 students at Boston public schools were stranded this morning after 70 bus drivers skipped work. Backups replaced 60 of the drivers, but 12 bus routes still had to be canceled, leaving students without a ride, according to a press release from school officials.

An automated telephone calling system notified families on the affected routes. Any student who is unable to attend school today because of a canceled bus route will not be penalized, school officials said.

The no-shows called in sick or used personal days. Some of the drivers did come to work after the first wave of buses to help with the second and third trips, said Jonathan Palumbo, a schools spokesman. The number of bus driver absences is within the range of what the school system typically encounters after a snowstorm, he said.

"The indications are that it does not seem to be anything organized" such as a protest by a union or anyone else, Palumbo said.

"We apologize to families for this disruption and inconvenience," Superintendent Carol R. Johnson said in a statement. "When school is open, we rely on our bus drivers to get more than 30,000 students safely to and from school. More than 600 drivers arrived at bus yards early this morning ready to work, but it is very problematic that 70 other individuals stayed home."

The bus drivers are employed by First Student Inc., and are not employees of the City of Boston or the Boston Public Schools. Families with questions or concerns about their child’s transportation may call the school transportation department at 617-635-9520.

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