Nearly 1,700 Big Island public school students will receive bus service via an emergency contract with Roberts Hawaii School Bus Inc., starting with the resumption of classes today. Emergency contract
restores bus service to
1,700 Big Island studentsBy Erika Engle
eengle@starbulletin.comThe state Department of Education approved a contract yesterday with Roberts Hawaii School Bus to take over routes formerly operated by V. Bragado Bus Service Inc., said Sam Shenkus, a spokeswoman for Roberts.
The routes will be phased in as individual schools open for classes, and all routes will be covered by early next week, Shenkus said.
Two of the former Bragado bus routes were to begin today, with 30 more tomorrow and the remaining 12 routes by Tuesday.
"We're going to do whatever we have to do to get those kids to school," Shenkus said.
The department will seek bids to cover bus service on a more permanent basis following the 180-day term of the emergency agreement, Shenkus said.
On Tuesday the department was awaiting comment from the state Attorney General's Office before proceeding with the emergency student transportation arrangements. An agreement was reached yesterday afternoon.
The routes were left open after V. Bragado Bus Service shut down, saying increased costs had made the operation unprofitable. Company Treasurer Jon Bragado said he notified the department in early August that the company would cease operations. At the time, top student transportation officials were on vacation.
Phone calls to the state Department of Education and the Attorney General's Office were not returned.
County of Hawaii
