Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Per Westway's contract with each school district, poor bus service translates to money back.
Woodridge School District 68 and Community High School District 99 officials said this week they continue to work with Westway Coach, Inc. to correct issues and are considering how best to pursue financial sanctions they're entitled to in their contracts. Some missed pick-ups and late buses continued Tuesday, according to Patrick Broncato, assistant superintendent of personnel for District 68. However, there are fewer in the third week of school than there were in the first two, he said. Broncato said District 68 continued to work with Westway in refining routes and making adjustments where needed. District 99 made a similar report. "Fortunately, the timeliness and accuracy of the routes at both schools have continued to improve," District…
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
President John Benish, Jr., details steps taken to resolve the problems that have plagued bus routes since last Wednesday.
John Benish, Jr., the president of Westway Coach, Inc., released a statement Wednesday morning taking full responsibility for the poor bus service Downers Grove Grade School District 58, Woodridge School District 68 and Community High School District 99 have received since last Wednesday. He outlined steps taken to fix problems, including replacing at least two employees, as well as meeting with school districts and having employees run practice routes with bus drivers. Benish said things have run smoother the past two days. Districts 68 and 99 told Patch bus service was improved Tuesday, although some issues remained. The full statement is below. “We want the communities of Downers Grove and Woodridge to know that our company takes full …
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
District 99 officials will again ride the most troubled routes Wednesday.
Update: 5:10 p.m. District 99 identified a major problem in its bus service Wednesday, the district reported in an e-mail release. Bus routes have not been driven by the same drivers day-to-day, meaning a lack of consistency. "We believe that we have identified a major problem with our service, namely that the company does not have permanent drivers in place for all or most routes," the release said. "We are pressing Westway Coach to correct this problem immediately." District 99 officials will again ride on the most troubled bus routes. Doing so had a positive effect Tuesday, though not all of the route problems were solved. “Westway Coach is well aware that we are beyond frustrated with their abysmal service to our students,” District …
Monday, August 29, 2011
District 68, 99 parents reported more missed pick-ups and delays Monday.
There will be some new kids at the bus stop Tuesday, but they won't look like your average high-schooler. Community High School District 99 officials reported Monday afternoon they would be at the most problematic bus stops Tuesday to monitor the performance of Westway Coach, Inc. Parents in both District 99 and Woodridge School District 68 reported missed pick-ups and late buses Monday as issues that have plagued the bus routes both districts continued into the second week of school. The issues started on the first day of school, last Wednesday. District 68 and 99 said they had met with Westway officials Friday to express concerns and to fix the problems. However, problems remained. "At Jefferson Jr. High, the problems have not gotten …
Thursday, August 25, 2011
District 99 sent another apology Thursday after issues that plagued bus routes on the first day of school continued the second day.
District 99 sent another apology for its bus service Thursday after issues continued with delays and missed pick-ups. "We are extremely disappointed that the problems many experienced yesterday were not rectified today, and we again apologize to all of the students and families who have been affected," the district said in an e-mail. The district sent a similar e-mail Wednesday night apologizing for "poor bus service." Wednesday's e-mail went on to say the district had spoken with the vice president of operations with Westway, who assured district officials poor service would not be repeated Thursday. Jill Browning, communications director for the district, had attributed the issues to the confusion of the half-day schedule, in which …
Jane
9:03 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
We should really be questioning the school officials that came up with this contract provision because it fails to protect taxpayers: "The district can receive 10 percent back for a late bus, 25 pecent back for an incorrect route (like a missed pick-up) and 100 percent back for a route where no bus showed up." more ›