ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis school district is facing ongoing challenges with a shortage of bus drivers, prompting officials to announce the suspension of routes associated with one vendor due to safety violations. On Monday, the district revealed that they had terminated their relationship with this vendor following an investigation that highlighted significant lapses in safety compliance.
Although the specific vendor was not identified in the school district’s statement, it was reported that Reed 2 Reed had been responsible for at least seven buses that failed to adhere to required safety protocols. According to reports from a local newspaper, one bus was lacking the mandatory “School Bus” signage on the front and rear, and some vehicles did not have the required extending arm or “Stop while bus is loading and unloading” signs as stipulated by state law.
Kimberly Marie Reed, the operator of Reed 2 Reed, did not respond to inquiries for comment about the situation. The school district emphasized that their decision stemmed from a comprehensive review that revealed multiple instances where the vendor did not meet their contractual and safety obligations. They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that all service providers adhere to the highest safety standards.
In the coming weeks, district officials will evaluate all vendor compliance contracts and regulations, with a public report expected on November 1. Despite the suspension of services, local reports indicated that on Monday, two unmarked buses—presumably in violation of the necessary safety signage—were observed dropping off students at Shaw Visual and Performing Arts Elementary. The district has not yet provided a response regarding this incident.
Currently, it remains uncertain how many students have been affected by this suspension. The school district mentioned that alternative transportation options are being facilitated for some families, while others have received gas cards to assist them with their transportation needs.
The turbulence surrounding school bus services in Missouri’s second-largest city began at the start of the academic year in August when three vendors abruptly withdrew their contracts. The district has been trying to manage bus services effectively after Missouri Central School Bus Co. canceled its contract for the 2024-25 school year back in March.
Serving around 19,600 students, the St. Louis district struggled to find a replacement vendor, ultimately resorting to a mix of different transportation options, including other school bus services, metro buses, taxis, and shuttle services. Missouri Central cited the need for additional funding to tackle rising industry costs and a nationwide crisis in school bus driver availability, requesting an added $2 million from the district. When the district declined this request, Missouri Central decided to withdraw its services.
An incident reported earlier this year also raised concerns about workplace safety, as a Black mechanic for Missouri Central claimed he discovered a noose at his station, which he interpreted as a racist intimidation tactic following a disagreement with a manager over inadequate bus brakes. Officials from Missouri Central claimed that the allegations of racism severely damaged their reputation, contributing to the ongoing tensions in the district’s transport operations.