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BREWSTER — A bus route scheduling issue prompted Palmer Bus Service to write an apology letter to Round Lake-Brewster School, its students and their families Thursday, after two afternoon bus routes ran 30 minutes behind.
“The first week is always the hardest,” said Ray Hassing, RL-B Superintendent. “Once they get the kinks out and know the routes, it’s smoothed out, but the first week is always the most difficult.”
The buses were running much better Friday morning, Hassing said.
“At the start of the school year, transportation is always tricky. It’s the worst we’ve ever had, but it’s always tricky because you have new drivers and they’re learning the routes,” Hassing said.
The problem affected two of the six bus routes, so not every student was affected, and the school had made an announcement that the afternoon bus routes were running 30 minutes behind due to changes in those routes.
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“On behalf of Palmer Bus Service I would like to apologize to the students, families and the school district for not having a successful kickoff to the new school year. We believed we had routing done and ready to go, that was not the case and we apologize for the inconvenience it has caused,” wrote Shane Johnson, COO of Palmer Bus Service, in a letter posted on Round Lake-Brewster’s website. “We have a team on site to help correct the routing deficiencies and it is our goal to have all routes ready with established times by the end of this week leading into next.
“Once again our sincere apologies and we thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Palmer serves 26 schools in Minnesota, including Jackson County Central, Windom Area Schools and Mountain Lake.
