EXCLUSIVE: The local School Bus company which had future contracts rejected and is under investigation by the BOE, has temporarily suspended a driver and apologized after a the driver reportedly left children on the bus while taking care of his errands. According to the bus company however, the driver claims he took the children with him into the cleaners, but did not leave them on the bus, as was initially reported to TLS by Board Of Education member Yoni Silver, who received the complaints from the parents.
Yesterday, the bus company issued the following statement to the Board Of Education.
“On October 13, 2010 at approximately 4:10 pm our driver ——– was driving route ——– and when he had two students left on the bus he stopped the bus and took the two children off with him into to the dry cleaners. He then returned to his bus and took them home. When this incident was brought to our attention we were shocked and outraged and immediately called the driver into our office for an explanation, we as a result took the driver off of that run and placed him on suspension for one week and probation for a year. We apologize for this incident this in no way reflects on our commitment to the safety of the children that we always strive for”
As exclusively reported on TLS last week, the company came under fire after numerous schools and parents complained about the company’s reliability and capabilities, and not being able to uphold the contracts it secured with the BOE.
BOE members tell TLS that they have received numerous complaints from school principals, saying the bus company currently does ‘double runs’ in order to accumulate more contracts, hence keeping the parents and children waiting during pick-up and drop-off hours.
Since launching an investigation, the BOE turned down all further contracts to the company until the investigation is completed.
Silver said last week, “The vendor was invited to press their case at the next board meeting” and says the board has in the interim rejected all further contracts “until the matter is resolved and the vendor proves worthy of carrying out their responsibilities without jeopardizing the safety of Lakewood’s children”.
If this is the (moderated) bus company, how would I go about informing them that my sons bus driver drives quite haphazardly. Ii dont think he is a dangerous driver but he definitely leaves what to be desired as far as safety goes.
U can try calling them, but they wont listen. (I’ve tried it.)
any driver doing errands with children who he is hired to drive home< should be fire immediately!!! No probation or suspension! just plain and simply fired! if a driver cant understand what is wrong with this sort of behavior, has no place driving children home!!!
We apologize for this incident this in no way reflects on our commitment to the safety of the children that we always strive for”
I am not convinced. My daughters’ bus driver stopped at least twice to use a porta potty at a construction site, leaving a bus full of children, including crying primary age children. She warned the children not to tell their parents. The company was notified and after another such incident removed the driver.
The driver was seen once again driving for the same company a few month later.
This same driver discussed her personal problems with these third and fourth grade children. Problems with finances, health, etc. The driver instructed the children how to use the two way radio because she said she has health problems and may one day need help while driving.
We have people driving busloads of 30-40 children that we would never think of trusting to babysit 3 or 4 children in the relative safety of our homes. Does this make any sense???
Call the boe members and they will handle it
To # 1 and # 2
Call your boe members with complaints and they will forward them to the transptation. Dept.
boe number?
what bus co. is it? just give the initials. we`re smart we can figure it out.
what company ?
I hope all the parents involved file a class action suit against the bus “company” and bus driver’s responsible for deliberately putting young children in potential danger.
This entire situation is very upsetting, but the lax reaction from the bus company, and BOE are even more disturbing.
This driver is now driving for another company contracted by the board of ed .Does this make any scense ??
Now everyone gets bus accounts. Now we know why the boe used to be more picky with which companies they hired. Its not only about money. Its about being run straight or backwards.
If #11 is correct the board of ed members need to do some serios explaining how this can be allowed by them
they should not allow the double runs it causes all the problems.be it saftey as the drivers are rushing and kids end up getting picked up late.
I agree. now everyone gets bus accounts .
Number 8 . I think your question has been answered by number 12
Number 9 I think your question has been answered by number 12 and 15 with help from number 16. “Dok vtimtza heitiv”
why is the BOE letting him drive for another company ?
Bus company name?
To all parents who have kids on the buses you can thank BOE member Mr Silver for getting this out in the open.
#20 -getting what to the open that a driver made a mistake that didnot endanger anybody and cant drive for one company but can drive for another??
lets get this out in the open. the double runs are causing the issues of unsafe bussing including no time for bus drivers to go to the dry cleaners or bathroom. at the sametime there is a need to have bus monitors or video on these buses because more thna one of these bus drivers dont understand the need to keep there comment to themsleves and not educate our kids in areas they should not. education is for the classroom. NOT the bus.
and yes call the BOE or the bus company (any of them) and they will wash you off straighet out or with empty promises ” We will look into it’ . They never follow up with you,.
BOE cant take care of it. Notify traffic safty with the bus number, where the offense is taking place and the time of day.
My sons bus drives from this company is on his cel phone texting all run- the driver discusses with the kids all crazy stuff. very unreliable company. the first few weeks from school the didnt have drivers from certain routes they had. they send buses only every second day. its a disgrace, they should loose all their contracts
#17, it is quite possible that you are wrong, as I was under the (informed) impression that it was not the company that you mentioned.
I have always had the most wonderful drivers so kind and caring from this bus company. The woman who drive for them are terrific!!
Doing double runs…its like shtupping in extra rows.
I don’t know about that. The woman who drives my daughter drives like a maniac. Yes, she needs to do 2 runs in the time alloted for one, but I worry for my daughter. I have tried to call both the bus company and the BOE, but have been brushed off.
Can some one explain how is it possible to do a double run if the first one cannot get to school before 8:40 and the second has to be there no later than 9:00 with all the traffic at that time you can not even drive 5 blocks. I beleive this whole double run buisness is a myth.I have also asked a few drivers and they said in the AM its impossible and in the afternoon there are many diffrent dissmisal times and a few runs can easaly be done safely.
i agree with #26 only good experiaces with them ….keep it up
One issue that has never been discussed which I am outraged about, and is a daily struggle in our family is the problem called nosh.
They get it from rebbeim, upsherin, vach nachts, and now they are getting it from their bus drivers everyday as they get off the bus. Sticky sweet candies and taffies everyday. I understand that they are trying to get the kids to behave but this has got to stop. How am I supposed to get my kids to eat supper and to have healthy teeth with all this junk? Save it for special occassions. Please!!!
Yoni since you are busy with such important things please read # 31 and make sure they only give out healthy fruit on all the busses
We live in the USA. In the USA there is a State called NJ. The USA and the State of NJ have what people in this country call – Government. These Governments make laws. Lakewood is not the USA, nor is it the State of NJ. It is a Town INSIDE the State of NJ. A town has very little clout with the Government of the State. As such, it would help if everyone understood the State laws as they pertain to this issue. You cannot stop a bus company from hiring drivers, you cannot cancel their contracts, you cannot stop their drivers from texting or driving unsafely. What you can do is document all these allegations, and if PROVEN, then you can ask a court to deem them unfit to be approved. At that time you can take away their contracts. What the BOE has done in regard to not allowing any further contracts, is blatantly illegal. However, under the circumstances they had no choice. The complaints were numerous and the solution impossible. Calling the BOE members or the BOE will get you nowhere. They cannot do anything. The only thing one can do that WILL make a difference is to go down to the transportation dept and sign an affidavit stating your complaint. Time and place will have to be documented. The issue with this is, that while we can all speak lashon hora and motzai shem ra on the blogs, nobody will sign their name on an affidavit because maybe it is mesira, or maybe someone will see thier name and call their house at 12 am to complain. It is because of this that the problem persists. Wake up People!!!
They certainly do do double runs. We see the drivers come twice every morning. How its possible? First group comes to school early (before 8:30, which the bus company says is ok), the second comes after 9:00 (which they deny). But I’ve had it both ways. This year late and last year early.
Reply to #34 as per the boe spokesman he knows of no school that has a 9:00 am in time that gets dropped off at 8:30 .if its true why dosent he know about it either from you or the school???? espeically if the second half is coming after 9???
to # 12 thank you, got it
for the whole story, go to the below-listed web address:
if (moderated) can post the name of the bus company- why not the scoop?
Well I called the BOE and complained. I called the school to complain and they said, there are busses that come even later. How can I contact the BOE spokesperson you spoke to.
I had a good experience with them last year this year, the driver (female) was great. I have another company this year who picks up my son at 9:04 am like clockwork. I doubt there are double runs. Some drivers are just not good. My son mentioned to me he saw police today, so I asked him which route he takes, talk about over the mountain and through the woods. By the way I used to audit a trucking company, every time they got inspected they had violations, there is always something to find. The driver should do a walk around every week (it’s not rational to expect more), but if the fluid light isn’t on yet, and the fluid level is by the border, there will be a violation.
That driver should have been fired on the spot as in the case of a local school district whose driver who choosed to stop in a liquor store while on duty. When bids are submitted to the BOE and the Board is aware of this particular bus company having these issues their bid should not be even considered for Board approval and be rejected when viewed. In Bid Specifications this should all be spelled out to the bidder and maybe the above situation could be avoided. It’s all about how you present yourself and what is expected of the Bidder in specifications. It is simple as that.
YES there are GOOD and BAD DRIVERS in Every Co. IT,S ASHAME that the BAD DRIVERS GIVE ALL DRIVERS A BLACK EYE , YOU very rarely hear the good that some drivers do. WELL HERE GOES ,WE DRIVERS ALL are subject to random drug testing,fingerprinting,background checks, and bi annual physicals. As is every BUS DRIVER EMPLOYED BY EVERY BUS CO.that is TRANSPORTING YOUR children, UNIONIZED , BOARD , OR PRIVATE CONTRACTOR.NO school bus driver is a stranger after the first FEW days of school,WE DO know how to be friendly,and kind to each child ,our sole job is to get the children to and from school safely,we too, wipe runny noses, look for lost articles, and run by a house a second time to see if a childs mom has arrived yet. We try to draw out the shy ones,worry about the sick ones, give praise for a job well done,and scold when necessary.And we greet each child with cheerful smile each day. So please refrain from slurring ALL drivers ,But get to know us instead,A bad driver DOESNT MAKE ANY DRIVER LOOK GOOD. There are alot of good drivers out there EVEN IN THAT CO. SO PLEASE DRIVERS STOP MAKING US ALL LOOK BAD!!!!!! DEDICATED BUS DRIVER FOR 26 YEARS.
TO # 34 you ARE WRONG CONTRACTS CAN BE TAKEN AWAY !!!!! DID YOU EVER READ ONE ? I SUGGEST YOU DO !!!!!