Rockford Public School parents share concerns over late, inconsistent Zum bus service

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (Rockford News First) – Some Rockford Public Schools parents say they still struggle with late and inconsistent bus service as the district and its new transportation provider work to address concerns from families

Zum Services hosted a private feedback session Tuesday night to give parents a chance to speak directly with company leaders about their experiences with student transportation

Kennedy Middle School parent Daniel Osborne says two of his children ride Zum buses and pickup time can look different from one day to the next

“Some days the bus shows up right on time. Other days it’s either super early or super late,” said Osborne. “You never really know when they’re going to be there. It’s really inconsistent.”

Osborne says one of his children’s buses arrived about an hour late. He came to Tuesday’s meeting hoping to hear how the new provider plans to improve its service

“I’m hoping they’re going to have more drivers. They’re going to have to figure out a way to get these buses on time. So, parents can rest at ease knowing their child is safe,” said Osborne

RPS 205 parent Leanne Clayton also attended the meeting. She says her daughter experienced significant delays during the first few weeks of the school year, sometimes arriving at school 30 to 40 minutes late

“By the time she’d actually get to class, class would only be 10 minutes long, and then she’d have to go to her second hour,” said Clayton. “We got to the point where we would just bring her to school in the mornings, and that was a hassle because we have a second kid that we need to make sure gets to his bus in the morning too.”

Zum Vice President Jordan Gordon says families at Tuesday’s meeting raised concerns about getting students to and from school consistently and on time

Gordon says Zum uses its technology to optimize routes and works with district leaders to implement changes

“So, as we started school, Zum technology allows us to really identify and optimize routes on an ongoing basis,” said Gordon. “We’re working in close partnership with the district leadership team to implement those recommendations and those changes.”

Zum plans to hold another feedback session at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at RESA Middle School

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