SLPS families still looking for drivers, volunteers ahead of transportation changes this school year
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Monday marks the first day of school for Saint Louis Public Schools after a few tumultuous months regarding transportation and the absence of superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett.
Missouri Central School Bus ended its contract with SLPS this year, resulting in the district contracting 19 different vendors to transport students to school.
One of those vendors is HopSkipDrive, which is like Uber for school districts. The service is already partnered with the city of St. Charles School District, Premier Charter School and others to expand transportation options for students.
“The vetting process for driving students is much stricter,” HopSkipDrive Care driver Delia Payne told First Alert 4. “Most of the drivers are retired teachers or caregivers.”
“My kids will be OK because we’re carpooling,” parent Tracy Fantini said. “We typically have some hiccups in the first few weeks of school anyway.”
Fantini started a private Facebook group called SLPS Families Carpool Connection to attract more parents to utilize carpool options in the district. She also advocated for more people to the Adopt-A-Stop program. In the program, adults are encouraged to accompany students at MetroBus and regular yellow bus stops.
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