HCPSS Transportation Update, Aug. 23, 2025

August 23rd, 2025

The safe and reliable transportation of students to and from school continues to be an issue in which the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has heavily invested, and families have great interest. This message expands upon the transportation reminders that were previously shared with families to provide additional assurances based on the months of work and conversations staff have had with the student transportation contractors that provide bus service to students.

HCPSS staff have been in regular contact with contractors to ensure readiness for the first day of school. All contractors are prepared and have assured us that routes are covered. Several contractors have also stepped up to take on more routes than they were originally planning to cover and we are grateful for their partnership and commitment to serving HCPSS students, families, and schools.

Following many years of approximately 100 driver vacancies, this is welcomed and reassuring news. Many contractors also have several backup drivers, or have drivers traveling to Howard County this weekend, to help provide coverage in case of driver callouts.

This summer, in preparation for the 2025-2026 school year, staff from the HCPSS Office of Student Transportation worked closely with transportation contractors to monitor the certification, hiring, and training of drivers to cover all necessary routes. Additionally, staff worked with contractors to ensure each contractor was operating a manageable number of routes.

Beginning Monday, HCPSS staff will be closely monitoring transportation operations to ensure all contractors have sufficient drivers to fulfill the number of routes they have agreed to provide. Additional staff will be supporting the communication efforts of the HCPSS Office of Student Transportation in case of delays that are typical at the beginning of the school year, or unforeseen route cancellations.

As a reminder, if there is a bus delay of 15 minutes or more, HCPSS will issue text and email alerts. Should a bus route be unexpectedly canceled, HCPSS will notify families as soon as possible via text and email alerts so the family may make alternate arrangements to transport their child to school. If your child’s bus is delayed by more than 15 minutes and you have not received a text or email message, please call the Office of Student Transportation at 410-313-6732. For non-urgent questions or concerns specific to a bus or bus route, contact your Transportation Area Team or email transportation@hcpss.org.

It is our hope that the start of this school year mirrors last year with only typical disruptions that are able to be quickly resolved.