Bus Still Late 1/2 Way Through School Year

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools are almost halfway through the school year and buses are still late picking up kids at school.

One father was patient for September and October, but then he started making phone calls to voice his concern.

"I've called First Student on many occasions and the kids just can't get home in time. They have a 30 minute window at school, they sit in the classroom and then they call a late bus and then they sit in the hallway. In October, we thought we had it straightened out,” explains frustrated father, Rickey Tyre.

Unfortunately the kinks weren’t worked out so Tyre began calling me in the beginning of November. After I contacted Savannah-Chatham schools and First Student officials, Tyre thought the issue was resolved. Then, his children were left sitting at Southwest Elementary School again. Tyre figured it was probably just because it was around the holidays and maybe there were substitute drivers.

"October 31 is when I finally started writing it down cause I couldn't remember everything and then I've got November's, December's…”

Dad and grandfather, Rickey Tyre, flips through a notebook he’s been keeping with all of the bus issues he’s encountered with the bus his children ride.

The most recent incident, on Monday, January 11th, four months into the school year.

"I've called everybody and I'm just at my wit's end. The kids got home from school yesterday at 5:05 and got out of school at 3:45," explains Tyre.

And he lives about a mile and a half from the school. Tyre then did what he's gotten so used to doing. He called First Student.

“That's the response that I get like that on January the 11th. Ms. Stephanie was off, Ms. Winningham was off, Mr. Samples is not in his office. The kids got home at 5:05 and I spoke to Mr. Williams at 5:10," he points to his notes.

Tyre was told the children would be picked up on time from the school on Tuesday and he finally heard back from the "higher ups".

"Today's my first call from Mr. Samples at all and I have talked to Mr. Burse on 3 other occasions, but not from my phone calls. I feel like the response I got today was from you emailing them for me."

Now, Tyre wants to see action.

"Just get my kids home at a decent time. That's all I want. Get them home by 4:30, 4:35 and I'm a happy man. They should not have to sit on the floor of a hallway waiting to et home by bus and the bus being on the east side of Savannah," he continues.

I did speak with First Student and school district officials. They were in meetings and weren't available for on camera interviews.

First Student reminded me of the board policy that says they have a 1 ½ hour window to drop children off at home.

The district assured me that the problem would be fixed and that Mr. Tyre's children would be picked up on time today and not be left waiting.
I spoke with Mr. Tyre as soon as his children got off the bus today at 4:30. He's just hoping service like today's continues.