EBR Schools Eye Private Firm to Alleviate Bus Driver Shortage
BATON ROUGE, La. — Facing ongoing transportation challenges, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board is considering a temporary partnership with First Student, a private bus company, to address critical driver shortages and strained bus routes across the district.
The school board discussed the proposal Thursday night, signaling hope for a solution to logistical gaps that have caused delays in student transportation, particularly in areas like Woodlawn, Broadmoor, and Mid-City.
“Every day, our staff is forced to cobble together resources to meet our students’ transportation needs,” said John McCann, the district's Interim Chief of Operations.
According to Interim Transportation Director Rob Howle, trail and relief drivers are filling in as full-time operators, leaving little flexibility to respond to issues like breakdowns or last-minute absences.
“If we have a spike in call-ins or unexpected bus failures, it results in students arriving late to school,” Howle explained.
Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Concerns
The motion to explore a contract with First Student passed preliminary approval and will be up for a final vote. If enacted, the agreement would run through May 2025. However, Howle cautioned that implementation would take time, requiring careful planning and communication with parents.
“We won’t flip a switch overnight. Parents will be informed if buses labeled with First Student are servicing their area,” Howle said.
While some board members acknowledged the necessity of outsourcing, concerns were raised about First Student’s reputation in other districts.
“I’m a bit nervous about their track record, but we can’t control that,” said District 6 Representative Nathan Rust. “Our responsibility is to hold them accountable to the terms of the contract.”
Superintendent Lamont Cole offered reassurance, emphasizing the district’s focus on a positive outcome.
“We’re entering this partnership optimistically, fully committed to ensuring it works for our students and families,” Cole said.
Beyond the Stopgap
Cole emphasized that the proposed contract is temporary while the district explores sustainable solutions to its transportation challenges.
“This isn’t a permanent fix. We’re committed to developing long-term strategies to stabilize and improve our system,” he added.
The proposal reflects an urgent push to prevent further disruptions to student transportation while ensuring accountability and transparency as the district navigates this critical challenge. A final vote on the contract is expected in the coming weeks.
