Parents of Prince George’s County Public Schools reported significant bus delays for roughly 10,000 students during the first two days of the 2026‑27 school year. While the district says the majority of the 74,000 students who rely on school transportation arrived without incident, families with problems say the disruptions have been frustrating.
District acknowledges app crashes and driver shortages
The county’s transportation department confirmed that the Chipmunk app, which parents use to track bus locations, experienced crashes on Tuesday. The system was restored by midday, but some parents noted recurring glitches on Wednesday. Superintendent Shawn Joseph told reporters that the first week of school is always an adjustment period and that the department is “determined to resolve any issues quickly,” though he admitted the situation would not be “perfect.”
Joseph also addressed concerns about driver staffing. The district is down about 41 drivers out of a fleet of 1,100, a shortfall he described as “manageable.” The most affected location appears to be the Fairmount bus lot, which has the highest number of vacancies. He warned that any routing problems are likely to stem from that lot.
Transportation team continues route adjustments
In a statement released Wednesday, the transportation team said it is still reviewing routes to improve efficiency and shorten travel times. The district declined to set a firm deadline for when all delays would be eliminated, noting that enrollment numbers are still stabilizing and that further adjustments may be needed.
“Our goal is not to simply ask families to accept delays. Our goal is to reduce them each day,” the statement read. County officials did not confirm whether measurable improvements had already occurred on the second day of school.
What parents can expect moving forward
Parents are encouraged to continue using the Chipmunk app for real‑time bus information and to report any persistent issues to the transportation office. The district plans to keep communication lines open and will provide updates as route changes are implemented.
Superintendent Joseph emphasized that the district remains committed to ensuring reliable transportation for all students, acknowledging that the early weeks of a school year often involve logistical challenges. He asked families for patience as the transportation team fine‑tunes schedules and staffing.
Community response
Local community groups have expressed concern for families who rely on bus service to get children to school safely and on time. While the district’s response has been measured, many parents hope that the promised adjustments will translate into fewer delays in the coming weeks.
County officials say they will monitor the situation closely and will consider additional measures, such as recruiting more drivers or reallocating resources, if delays persist.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
