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Boston Council Probes BPS Bus Delays After Parents Decry Cancellations

City leaders signaled tighter oversight following an emergency hearing where parents detailed missed pickups.

Overview

  • The Boston City Council Education Committee, which met Tuesday, scrutinized chronic late buses and no‑shows that disrupt rides for roughly 19,000 students across more than 200 schools.
  • Boston Public Schools reported March on‑time averages of 93% in the morning and 88% in the afternoon, short of the 95% performance benchmark in its Transdev contract.
  • Parents described this school year as the worst for reliability, citing more than 20 days of cancellations or long delays that forced carpools, rideshares, missed work, and lost classroom time.
  • BPS transportation chief Dan Rosengard said driver shortages and a rise in uncovered trips are straining service, and he cited winter storms, mechanical issues, and complex routes while pointing to hiring, training, route consolidation, and GPS tracking as remedies.
  • Councilors pressed for accountability, noting BPS can fine Transdev $500 for a missed trip or arrivals over an hour late, and Education Chair Julia Mejia said she will convene another hearing within months.