Caddo Parish schools tackle bus delays with new drivers, tracking

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)— Caddo Parish Schools acknowledges the inconvenience some families in the district have experienced regarding school bus pickups, and by increasing transparency and onboarding more drivers in the coming weeks, they hope this school year shows it.

Thousands of students line up at bus stops across the parish, but for some concerned parents, the wait has been much longer than expected. Jeff Roberts, Director of the Caddo Parish Schools Department of Transportation, explained the factors that cause some routes to operate later than scheduled.

“If we’re subbing a route, then that time could be different, and as parents contact us for sub route information, we do have a live link every day on the transportation website.” Find my sub bus coverage. It will assign to let the parents know which bus has been assigned to cover those routes,” said Roberts.

Roberts said the district does not have a driver shortage the way they have in previous years. Competitive wages and training are part of their plan to attract permanent drivers instead of substitutes, which ensures routes are staffed year-round.

“So we’re not really in a shortage position as we have been in the past. I think our salary and some of the incentive programs that we put in place for our drivers have really attracted them to Caddo, along with certain stipends that they received throughout the year as well. Those drivers have to complete x number of hours on the bus training, during routes, loading, and unloading students,” said Roberts.

Another concern parents expressed was communication, particularly the ability to track buses in real-time, especially when substitutes are on the route.

“We have sent out spreadsheets to every school, every principal, every assistant principal, the superintendent, the coo, everybody has full transparency of what routes are being covered, who they’re being covered by arrival times, those types of things, so that none of this is, is counted against the student as far as, an unexcused tardy,” said Roberts.

The department is working on improving and fixing inaccurate stop locations in its system. For now, parents are urged to check updates on the district’s website and report any delays.
The transportation department says they’re still recruiting drivers for more accurate pickup times.

“The exciting news in this department is that next week, on Monday, the 18th, we will have two additional drivers assuming the role, the permanent position on the 20th, two more on the 21st, eight drivers coming out on the 22nd, another one, 25th, four and on the 28th, three more drivers,” said Roberts.

To find your child’s bus stop and pick up / drop off times, click Find My Bus Stop on the Caddo School website.