ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In just two days, Albuquerque Public Schools’ kids will begin a new school year, and many will hop on buses.
But past issues have ranged from a bus driver shortage, to delays and even kids being forced to sit on school bus floors. KRQE News 13 asked APS if they’re ready. However, it appears the district will be facing a similar problem as in past years.
The district is being forced to find bus drivers to cover nine routes after another bus company left the district.
“You really have to be careful when you map out the routes and assign the buses and drivers and at this point, I’m not sure that all of that is done yet,” said Monica Armenta, Executive Director of Communications.
APS officials have been forced to turn to their Plan B until they can fill those positions permanently.
APS says personnel in the transportation department will be temporarily filling in bus driver positions left vacant by Lucero Bus Company until the district can hire more drivers.
Armenta says the drivers who will be filling in do have background checks and the proper licenses.
‘What we’ve done is gone through our administration and identified those individuals who could fill in for us until need be until we can fill all those spots,” said Armenta.
The problem, they say, is that there just isn’t enough money in the school transportation business anymore and many companies aren’t making a profit.
APS says that’s why the district is left with the same situation it ran into last year when Durham Bus Company left.
“We did our best again to acquire new buses and assign new routes. The problem is there are really only so many bus companies operating in Albuquerque now. So we are doing our best,” said Armenta.
KRQE News 13 did reach out to Lucero Bus Company for a comment but we have not heard back.
APS says it did not cut any routes because of this loss of drivers.
APS is looking to hire permanent drivers to fill the nine routes.
For more information on APS’ student transportation services, click here.
To find your bus stop, number, pick up and drop off times and route, click here.
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