UPDATE:
The parent company of Annapolis Bus Company sent us the following statement via a company spokesperson:
Since 2017, Student Transportation of America (STA) has partnered with the Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) through the Annapolis Bus Company, a member of the STA family of companies. Our agreement has always focused on the provision of safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation solutions for local students in the Annapolis area, and we have proudly fulfilled such services over the years. On Monday, October 4, 2021, we became aware of some drivers refusing to transport our local students. This decision has in turn impacted transportation services and unfortunately, we can confirm that a significant number of students have been affected.
STA understands the importance of maintaining operational readiness – especially as transportation providers across the industry are already facing a nationwide bus driver shortage due to the challenges brought on by the pandemic. We are doing our best to mitigate the impact on the community and hope to resolve this matter quickly in order to meet the important transit needs of area students during the current academic year and beyond.
STA is continuing ongoing communication with both AACPS and the drivers, and we are hopeful that a satisfactory resolution can be reached.
Early this morning, the Annapolis Bus Company advised Anne Arundel County Public Schools that a number of drivers were refusing to drive their assigned routes. Annapolis Bus Company is one of several contracted companies the school district uses to transport students to and from school.
According to Bob Mosier, spokesperson for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, this work stoppage has impacted 31 bus routes in addition to the routes that have been plagued with driver shortages from the beginning of the year. Mosier said the school is working with Annapolis Bus Company and others to devise a solution. “This is an issue between Annapolis Bus Company and their drivers with students and families caught squarely in the middle of it.”
At this point, the school system cannot say how long this may last. When asked about any type of solidarity action at other contracted companies, Mosier advised that they had not heard of anything like that.
A call to Annapolis Bus Company was not answered.
Please be sure to check https://www.aacps.org/buses for current and daily disruptions
This story has been updated.
