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 …
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
The school district apologized for the "poor" service Wednesday and promised bus service would run more smoothly Thursday.
The first day of school always brings some nervous anticipation; maybe more so when your bus doesn't arrive to pick you up. District 99 apologized for "poor bus service" Wednesday after confusion caused some delays and missed pick-ups for the first day of school. It was the first school day the district worked with Westway Coach. Districts 58, 68 and 99 decided to consolidate bus routes this year and sign with a single company as a more efficient, cost-saving venture. The decision will save District 68 $300,000 a year, according to Kevin Wegner, assistant superintendent of business for Woodridge School District 68. District 99 had a half-day Wednesday. Upperclassmen attended school in the morning; the afternoon was reserved for freshmen. …
Monday, August 15, 2011
Request for location rejected by Lisle Village Board Monday night.
With only one week until the start of school, the request for a bus terminal to serve Districts 58, 68 and 99 was rejected by the Lisle Village Board Monday night. Bus service for District 68 will go on, according to Kevin Wegner, assistant superintendent of business for the district. The district will continue to use its terminal in Lemont, Wegner said. The terminal has been a source of contention for some Lisle residents and business owners who live and work near the proposed location for the terminal. That contention has caused the request to bounce from the Lisle Planning and Zoning Commission to the Lisle Village Board to the Planning and Zoning Commission and now back to village board again. The planning board approved a special …
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 ›