Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, August 20, 2012
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Thousands of local families could be in a bind Monday morning if 80 bus drivers who did not report for work Friday afternoon decide to do it again, but officials said they have a plan in place either way.
The bus driver walkout affected more than 12,000 Indianapolis Public Schools students, but both IPS and Durham School Services, the contractor involved, said the buses will run as scheduled Monday.
"What we learned Friday is that we do have the resources within IPS that we can transport those additional 12,000 students," said IPS spokesman John Althardt. "It comes at a price, as we learned Friday. A lot of our students were delayed. A lot of our parents were significantly inconvenienced."
Durham released a statement Saturday night that said managers have an operations plan if drivers decide not to report to work.
"Parents should plan to send their children to their bus stop as usual," part of the statement read. "Durham strongly believes students come first and opposes the decision of any bus driver who puts personal interests ahead of the community."
Parents are concerned there could be more issues this week.
"We want to make sure that they're getting home and getting home in time," said parent Jennifer Bates Cannon. "What's next week going to be like?"
Durham's statement said drivers are upset because the state eliminated summer employment benefits.
"That matter should be addressed in an appropriate forum that doesn't impact school children," Durham's statement read.
Durham runs about 200 routes for IPS. Part of the district's backup plan includes using some buses from Pike Township.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.