St. Louis schools, struggling to get kids to classes, suspend bus vendor
ST. LOUIS — As St. Louis school officials continue to struggle with getting kids to classes amid a shortage of school bus driversthe district said Monday it has suspended routes operated by one supplier after the buses were found to have violated safety standards.
A statement from St. Louis Public Schools did not name the seller, but the announcement came days later St. Louis Postal Service reported that the vendor Reed 2 Reed operated at least seven school buses that did not meet safety requirements.
The newspaper said one bus did not have the words “School Bus” on the front and back of the vehicle. Some did not have an extendable arm on the front bumper, or were missing a “Stop while bus is loading and unloading” sign required by state law, the Post-Dispatch reported.
Reed 2 Reed’s operator, Kimberly Marie Reed, declined to comment when reached by phone Monday.
“This decision follows a thorough review that revealed several instances of non-compliance with our contractual obligations and safety standards,” the district said, adding that it is “committed to holding all suppliers accountable to the highest standards.” ”
District officials “will review all vendor compliance contracts and regulations over the next 15 days” and a public report will be released on Nov. 1, the district said.
Despite the announced suspension, the Post-shipping reported that two unmarked buses – apparently in violation of the signage requirement – dropped off students at Shaw Visual and Performing Arts Elementary on Monday. A message seeking comment from the district was not immediately returned.
It was not immediately clear how many children were affected by the suspension. The district said alternative transportation had been arranged for some families. Others were given gas cards to help them pay for their own transportation.
School bus service in Missouri’s second-largest city was thrown into chaos when the school year started in August after three vendors pulled out at the last minute.
The neighborhood had already been there struggling to come up with a plan after Missouri Central School Bus Co. had terminated his 2024-2025 school year contract in March.
The St. Louis district serves approximately 19,600 students. Unable to find a single supplier to replace, the solution involved a combination of using other school bus companies, metro buses, taxis and other shuttle services.
Missouri Central said in a statement in March that the company was seeking additional funding “to address unprecedented industry inflation and the nationwide shortage of school bus drivers.” The school district said the company was seeking an additional $2 million. When the district refused, Missouri Central decided to withdraw.
In February, a black mechanic at Missouri Central said he found a noose at his workplacewhich he believed was intended to send a racist message to intimidate him after an argument with a manager over his concerns that some bus brakes were inadequate. Missouri Central officials said the allegations of racism caused “irreparable harm to their reputation,” the district said in March.