BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) – Parents say Buffalo public schools are not doing enough to address transportation shortage.

The district lost 150 drivers this year and, as a result, had to cut more than 100 routes.

But a month after the start of the school year, parents say the problem is not improving.

And advocates say they’re ignored by the district

“And the lack of response from the neighborhood has really put parents at risk. The fact that children are not picked up in the morning and dropped off late in the afternoon. Having kids on the buses without a bus help, not 30-40-50-60 kids on a bus without a bus help, you know, that doesn’t offer real solutions, ”said Samuel L. Radford III, defender of parents.

In a statement to News 4, a spokesperson for BPS said the transportation department was working to address parents’ concerns. The district is cautiously optimistic that more drivers will be hired by the end of the month. And says he’s also hiring as many bus helpers as possible.

The District Transportation Department implemented a multi-faceted approach to alleviating transportation issues, which are a problem across the country, and we made dramatic improvements in the first three weeks of school. Ultimately, no further significant improvement will be made until more drivers are on board by First Student, which we are cautiously optimistic will happen by the end of this month.

Further away:

-Pay parents for transportation. Not feasible.

-Bus helpers on each bus. We hire as many as possible each year. We have the dollars and ongoing recruiting efforts.

-Distance learning. 3 instances only this year: Medical exemptions, Quarantine, Disciplinary.

-There will be no excuses on either side.

Buffalo Public Schools