Huntington school bus deal averts crisis

LONG ISLAND - The Huntington School District in Suffolk County notified families Thursday that Huntington Coach - the contracted busing company will honor their contract and continue providing service for the district as they’ve been doing for the past six decades.

Earlier this week, the company notified the Superintendent they would be abandoning dozens of morning and afternoon routes starting today and then stop service altogether at the end of next week. The abrupt announcement would have potentially impacted more than 4000 students districtwide.

Huntington Coach Corporation initially blamed the lack of drivers on a national shortage coupled with new COVID testing and vaccination mandates - causing employees to walk off the job. But after negotiations, service will continue.

These shortages don’t just impact districts on Long Island - but it’s statewide   Overall officials are reporting a drivers shortage between 15-20 percent amongst all contractors in New York State.

The President of the New York School Bus Contractors Association the stakeholders came together and all parties will do what they have to to make it work. 

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