Framingham School Bus Provider Warned Of Possible Contract Breach

FRAMINGHAM, MA — As Framingham brings students back to classes for the first time in a year, the school district is facing another bus problem.

For the second time in recent years, Framingham Public Schools has formally warned Durham Bus Services that it's in danger of breaching its contract. The School Committee on Wednesday voted to send a warning letter to the company after the bus provider said it could only provide 54 buses as schools reopen.

In the fall, Framingham agreed to continue paying Durham so the company would be ready with 77 buses when schools reopened. Framingham has paid about $850,000 since, even though most students were learning remotely.

"The situation is unacceptable and must be remedied at once," a letter sent to Durham said. "The city demands that Durham immediately take whatever steps are necessary to have the labor and equipment in place to fully staff all 77 buses required under the Agreement for daily transportation of Framingham’s students by March 1."

A large group of Framingham general education students returned to in-person classes on Wednesday, and the district plans to have all students in a hybrid learning format by March 8.

Durham representatives told the School Committee on Wednesday they are having trouble hiring and retaining bus drivers. Durham regional manager RJ Castagno told the committee the company has about 10 additional drivers ready if they can get coronavirus vaccines. Castagno said the company has lost 17 local drivers since the beginning of the school year — six in the last few weeks alone.

The school district warned Durham in December 2019 that it was in breach of its contract with the district. There was also a driver shortage in that situation. Durham eventually fixed the problem.

"We have tried everything to avoid this scenario and here we are," District 5 School Committee member Priscila Sousa told Durham officials. "I don't think there's a crystal ball in the world that could've helped us with this."

When the pandemic first hit last spring, Framingham agreed to continue paying Durham bus drivers, even though they weren't transporting students.

Framingham is in the midst of picking a new school bus provider. Durham was one of two companies that submitted a bid, but the city is pursuing the offer made by NRT Bus.