ST. LOUIS – One bus provider expected to serve Saint Louis Public Schools amid transportation issues has canceled its services just two days before the new school year, leaving transportation plans in limbo for nearly 1,000 students.
Xtra Care Services informed SLPS on Saturday morning the it can no longer offer services. Neither SLPS or Extra Care Services has formally disclosed what led up to the sudden change.
SLPS district officials tell FOX 2 that Xtra Care Services can no longer offer six buses expected to operate at the start of the school year. The change impacts 1,000 students who expected transportation services across 22 schools, including the following:
Adams, Ashland, AESM, Buder, Busch, Carr Lane, Columbia, Compton Drew, Dewey, Gateway STEM, Jefferson, Lexington, Long, Lyon@Blow, Mullanphy, NCNAA (K-8), NCNAA@Roosevelt, Oak Hill, Roosevelt, Shaw, Washington Montesourri, Woerner, and Yeatman
“As a result of bus and driver shortages, this continues to lead to disruptions for St. Louis Public Schools. We understand the challenges that bus and driver shortages have presented for our families, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions and minimize disruptions to our students,” said SLPS in a statement sent Saturday to FOX 2.
SLPS is navigating through challenges with its transportation plans, stemming from a driver shortage and a terminated contract with one school bus supplier at the end of the last school year.
Two other bus service providers have reduced services in August that were anticipated ahead of the 2024-25 school year as well, according to SLPS.
ShuttlePro announced on Aug. 14 it would reduce the number of available buses from 45 to 25. Parents impacted by the change have been given gas cards.
Victorious Life International announced on Aug. 9 it would reduce the number of available buses from 10 to 5 because they could not acquire all buses initially planned to transport students.
Unrelated to those changes, hundreds of students are expected to ride a MetroBus through Metro Transit to school this year. Metro Transit officials plan to closely monitor services and their impact for the upcoming semester.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority and we are committed to providing support to families during this time. SLPS is actively communicating with parents and guardians through various channels, including emails and phone calls to keep them informed of the challenges,” said SLPS.
The first day of the 2024-25 school year for St. Louis Public Schools is Monday, Aug. 19.
