Duluth Public Schools Canceled Bus Routes
A high volume of driver absences has forced the district to cancel routes for some local students.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Child Care
Live Poll
Do you trust your local school district to provide reliable daily bus transportation for students?
Duluth Public Schools has canceled multiple bus routes after an unusually high number of drivers called in sick. These staffing shortages have disrupted transportation for students across the district.
Why it matters
The transportation disruptions create significant logistical challenges for families who rely on school bus services. The district is actively working to address the staffing gaps caused by the sudden driver absences.
The district operates 350 daily bus routes and has canceled 16 this school year. Currently, the district employs only two extra drivers to cover absences.
The players
Duluth Public Schools
The local school district provides educational services to students in Duluth, Minnesota.
Voyageur Bus Company
This private transportation firm holds a contract to provide bus services for the school district.
The details
Staffing shortages escalated when an unusually high number of drivers called in sick, impacting routes at schools including Lincoln Park Middle School and Piedmont Elementary School. To mitigate the impact, middle and high school students may ride DTA buses for free by showing their student identification.
Timeline
Staffing gaps began to rise at the start of the current school year.
Four routes were canceled for student families over the past two weeks.
The district aims to hire two substitute drivers within the next two weeks.
Culture Shift
The situation in Duluth mirrors the broader national trend of school districts struggling to maintain full transportation staffing levels. This local challenge reflects a widespread push to find reliable solutions for student transit in an era of labor volatility.
Parents should monitor text notifications for real-time updates regarding specific bus route cancellations. Eligible middle and high school students should keep their student identification ready to access free transport on DTA buses.
The takeaway
Families should prepare contingency plans for student transportation as the district works to resolve its temporary driver shortage. Staying alert to district communications will be the most effective way to navigate these ongoing logistical interruptions.
What happens next
The district plans to complete the hiring of two new substitute drivers within the next two weeks to help stabilize the current transportation schedule.
Further reading
For more information on local family resources, visit Child Care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northernnewsnow.
Live Poll
Do you trust your local school district to provide reliable daily bus transportation for students?
