FCPS, along with surrounding school divisions, is experiencing severe bus driver shortages due to a national and regional driver shortage. Please be assured, we are working hard to recruit and retain qualified bus drivers and to plan transportation that will be as efficient as possible with our current roster of drivers.
What will this mean for you and your family? FCPS will need to increase “double back” bus runs, meaning a bus is required to run two scheduled routes back to back that would normally have been covered by two separate buses. These “double backs” may impact delivery time to schools or bus stops and may have a domino effect throughout the day, affecting after-school drop-off times.
We ask families and students to have patience and flexibility at the start of the school year while we work through the issue. You can be prepared by checking the Here Comes the Bus (HCtB) app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Route information and transportation intent for your child is always available and current in your SIS ParentVue account.
We understand that any transportation delay is frustrating and has an impact on the entire family. Thank you for your flexibility as we work through some of our challenges with transportation this fall. Our goal is to serve each and every one of our students and our families with safe, efficient transportation.
As we continue to recruit drivers and make adjustments to routes to be more efficient, here are a few things you can do:
- Check the Here Comes the Bus® app, a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time.
Here Comes the Bus® utilizes FCPS GPS data and an easy-to-use customizable map that works on one or multiple devices, such as a tablet or smartphone.
More information about the Here Comes the Bus app is available.
-
Stay up-to-date on school bus arrivals with FCPS’ bus delay notification system. This system provides parents with timely notification of late bus route information. Parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System online or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app (mentioned above) to receive the delayed bus report. Morning route information will be available until noon. Afternoon bus route information will be available from 1 to 7 p.m.
-
e-Notify (SchoolMessenger) email messages will also be sent to announce bus delays of at least 30 minutes. Need assistance or have questions? Contact the Transportation office listed for your school. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
-
Carpool, walk, or bike to school if you are able to do so. If you plan to walk or bike to school, watch this short video on pedestrian safety with your child.
More information about transportation to and from school is available online.