MARLBOROUGH – While Marlborough Public Schools continues discussions with North Reading Transportation (NRT) over modifications to the school bus contract, the district is seeking an additional vendor to cover routes.
During the School Committee meeting on Dec. 12, Tom LaFleur, director of finance and operations, announced that MPS had issued a request to bid on Dec. 6 for a second vendor to provide service for four bus routes not consistently covered by NRT.
He added the bids were scheduled to be opened on Thursday, Dec. 21.
RELATED CONTENT: Marlborough schools demand full coverage of bus routes by NRT
In a related note, Superintendent Mary Murphy said that due to the current shortage of buses, there will be no delayed start unless all routes are covered.
“If there is … severe weather, we will plan for a full snow day and classes will be canceled,” she said.
In November, MPS joined Advanced Math and Science Academy in Marlborough, and Framingham Public Schools, in urging NRT to fulfill its contract to provide bus service.
Murphy said that the lack of coverage had led to some students arriving 30 minutes late to school and not heading home until one hour after dismissal.
