Dear MCPS Families:  

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school system as we navigate issues related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are writing to apprise you about an unprecedented issue we experienced today in the Department of Transportation.  There were major staff shortages that impacted our ability to transport all students to and from school.  Specifically, 75 out of 1228 bus routes and 82 out of 1228 routes were impacted this morning and this evening, respectively.   

What to expect tomorrow?
While we continue to work to respond to these challenges, we expect to experience similar situations with previous staffing shortages, and COVID-related absences. We will take the following actions to address the transportation-related staffing challenges:

• Communicate specific routes and affected schools posting relevant updates on this page.
• Prioritize routes that serve students with special needs.
• Continue to use available staff to drive multiple routes serving one school.
• Continue to use available transportation support staff and supervisors to cover routes. 

Additionally, we are exploring numerous recruiting options and a variety of other strategies to meet both short-and long-term staffing shortages in the Department of Transportation.  

What can you do?

• If you are able, we encourage parents and caregivers of students on an affected route, to transport their children to and from school. 
• If you are unable to transport your child to their school site, please contact your school by calling the office.  All student absences due to canceled bus routes will be excused. 

We recognize the hardship that transportation staffing shortages creates for our  families we thank you for your support as we address this challenge. Your patience and understanding are appreciated as we work through the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Montgomery County Public Schools