The school year is off to a concerning start for some Henrico County parents, who say their children are being picked up late by county school buses.
In some cases, parents said their students are being picked up hours late. On day one on Tuesday, some parents said their children didn't get home until after 6 p.m.
"Everybody knows on the first day of school, those days are different than any other school day," said Henrico Schools Director of Transportation Lori Carter-Evans.
Carter-Evans said the school system is using a new system to keep buses on time.
'The school staff really does a great job of making sure that students are assigned to the right buses, and so do the drivers, so it's really checking the list and checking it twice."
Parents 8News spoke with said Tuesday's delays were inexcusable.
"He was supposed to be home by 4:16, he didn't get home until close to six, and he said the bus came late and drove off late," said parent Maragrette Junius.
Parents also said there were significant bus delays again on Wednesday.
Henrico school officials said they have a new calling system to keep parents in the loop.
"Whenever there is an issue on a particular bus route, we want those messages to go out to parents on that particular route and let them know what the issue was with that particular bus," said Carter-Evans.
The school system also has 20 bus driver job vacancies, but said they are in the process of filling those positions.
Stay with 8News for updates.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
