St. Louis schools have faced challenges in ensuring children make it to classes on time and safely, resulting in the suspension of a bus vendor. The decision to suspend routes operated by one vendor was made after it was discovered that the buses did not meet safety standards, according to a statement from St. Louis Public Schools.
Although the vendor was not specifically named in the statement, the move came following a report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch which revealed that Reed 2 Reed was operating multiple school buses that failed to comply with safety regulations. One bus was found without the required “School Bus” signage, while others lacked essential safety features such as an extending arm and the mandatory “Stop while bus is loading and unloading” sign.
Kimberly Marie Reed, the operator of Reed 2 Reed, declined to provide a comment when contacted regarding the suspension. The district emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest safety standards and holding all vendors accountable.
As a result of the suspension, alternative transportation arrangements have been made for affected families. Some have been provided with gas cards to assist with the cost of their own transportation. However, the exact number of children impacted by the suspension remains unclear.
This development comes in the midst of ongoing challenges faced by St. Louis schools since August, when three bus vendors unexpectedly withdrew their services, exacerbating the existing school bus driver shortage. The district, which serves approximately 19,600 students, had been searching for solutions after Missouri Central School Bus Co. terminated its contract earlier in the year.
In light of these disruptions, a combination of other school bus companies, metro buses, taxis, and shuttle services have been utilized to ensure students can still travel to school. Missouri Central cited industry inflation and a nationwide bus driver shortage as reasons for their contract cancellation, seeking an additional $2 million which the district declined to provide.
The district had also dealt with allegations of racism earlier in the year when a Black mechanic reported finding a noose at his workstation. The incident, along with concerns raised about bus safety measures, further complicated the already strained relationship between the district and Missouri Central.
Moving forward, St. Louis officials are set to review all vendor contracts and regulations over the next 15 days, with a public report scheduled for release on November 1st. Despite the challenges faced, the district remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students as they strive to overcome these transportation hurdles.