IPS: Bus Service Returns To Normal

Buses for Indianapolis Public Schools will operate as normal Monday.

The district made the decision around 5:30 a.m. today after days of uncertainty after dozens of drivers called off Friday in an apparent labor protest.

"There may be potential delays due to some driver call offs, so please be patient while waiting for your bus," the district said. 

On Friday, the district could not provide transportation to the 22,000 students who rely on it. More than 70 drivers called in sick Friday in an apparent labor protest.

In a Sunday night message to parents, IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said she couldn't guarantee buses would operate Monday morning to take students to school.

“While our team does have a contingency plan for the current number of drivers who have called off, additional call-offs overnight will make coverage no longer feasible,” Johnson said in a statement Sunday night. “Schools will remain open, meal service will be provided, and teachers and staff will be present to receive and educate students.”

If there was no bus services, IndyGo was to offer free rides for IPS elementary and middle school students but parents who accompany them must pay. High school students already can ride the city bus for free with their student ID due to an ongoing agreement between the district and agency.

The bus driver call off stems from last month’s announcement that IPS would change its transportation services. At the time bus drivers employment union, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), said district leaders were not transparent about the new plan.

Local and regional AFSCME leaders said Friday they do not support drivers calling off in protest.
IPS announced Jan. 30 it would not renew a contract with bus vendor Durham School Services, that expires June 30, in a cost-cutting move. Durham covers about two-thirds of the district's routes, and IPS covers the rest itself.

Durham said in a notice to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development the closure of two Indianapolis facilities will cost more than 500 jobs, including those of 218 drivers and 243 bus assistants.

Starting this summer, First Student will provide all transportation for the district. The change in service is expected to save the district $7 million annually, according to district officials.