SAUGUS – A handful of students have been given access to a new ride to school this year, and many more will see new bus stops added in their neighborhoods.
Due to a nationwide shortage of bus drivers this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Superintendent of Schools Erin McMahon announced another means of transportation has been added to routes in the morning and afternoons.
“We are continuing in working to get families to school on time, and one way we are doing that is continually planning transportation,” said McMahon.
Since the beginning of this school year, schools from all over the country have been hit with the impact of the pandemic which, among many other things, resulted in a shortage of bus drivers in communities across the country.
Normally, Saugus would have six buses, but back in September there were only two buses available due to the understaffing.
“The past two weeks, we’ve come up with a creative solution to support families,” said McMahon.
Starting Wednesday, the school will have four buses running routes for before and after school. Between buses three and four, there will also be 27 added bus stops in the morning and 36 stops in the afternoon.
Not only will there be two more school buses added in the district, but the school will also gain a van. The van will provide rides to 16 students as well.
McMahon told the School Committee about the van during its most recent meeting on Nov. 4, adding that it was a big step in the right direction.
“I really want parents and families to know that it is important to us that kids have access to transportation if needed, and we will continue to work on that,” said McMahon.
School Committee Chairman Tom Whittredge was happy to hear about the district’s transportation plan.
“That’s great news,” he said. “Sixteen more kids, that’s huge,”
For more information on the routes of these new buses, residents can visit the Saugus High School website at saugus.k12.ma.us/schools/smhs-complex.
