News Summary
Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township School Districts experienced significant transportation disruptions due to a shortage of bus drivers. Five bus routes were canceled in Cumberland Valley, while two elementary schools in Susquehanna Township were forced to close. These issues emerged late, complicating communication with families. Both districts and their transportation providers are actively seeking solutions to address the ongoing driver shortage and ensure reliable transportation for students.
Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township, PA: Bus Driver Shortage Leads to Cancellations
On August 26, 2025, the Cumberland Valley School District faced significant disruptions as five bus routes were canceled, impacting various school buildings. The district, which serves over 10,500 students across 13 schools, notified families of these cancellations around 1:30 PM, advising them to make alternative transportation arrangements.
Simultaneously, the Susquehanna Township School District was compelled to close two elementary schools, Anna Carter Primary and Thomas Holtzman Elementary, due to “unexpected transportation issues” stemming from a critical shortage of bus drivers. This shortage has been recognized as a widespread issue affecting school districts across the state of Pennsylvania.
Challenges in Communication
The Susquehanna Township School District reported that it only learned about the bus driver shortages late on the previous evening. This late notification posed challenges in effectively communicating transportation changes to families in a timely manner. Both districts warned parents that ongoing shortages from contracted transportation providers could lead to potential delays and further cancellations in the future.
District Responses
In light of the difficulties caused by the driver shortage, the Cumberland Valley School District sent out a letter to families detailing the situation and its disruptive impacts. The district has a goal of notifying parents of delays or cancellations by 8 PM the evening before these incidents occur, although last-minute changes may still be necessary. The district’s superintendent expressed gratitude for the community’s patience while they strive to work with transportation providers to manage the crisis.
To improve communication about transportation issues, families are encouraged to keep their contact information current in the district’s Skyward system and to fill out a Transportation Survey aimed at optimizing route efficiency.
Ongoing Efforts and Solutions
In addition to the challenges faced by the school districts, Shultz Transportation, which provides bus services for both Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township, is grappling with maintaining adequate staffing levels of bus drivers. The company is actively implementing various strategies to retain drivers in a competitive labor market.
Rohrer Bus, another transportation provider serving the area, is also responding to the crisis by increasing its recruitment efforts and making adjustments to its training processes. These measures are part of the broader efforts aimed at addressing the persistent driver shortage affecting schools across the region.
Superintendent Dr. Tamara Willis of the Susquehanna Township School District has indicated that reliable transportation is crucial for their students and mentioned ongoing attempts to establish long-term solutions to resolve the transportation challenges faced by the district.
Conclusion
The ongoing bus driver shortage has led to significant cancellations in both the Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township School Districts, disrupting the education of thousands of students. As school officials work in collaboration with transportation providers to address these complications, families are encouraged to stay informed and make necessary arrangements during this challenging time.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Jerome School District Works to Resolve Bus System Issues
Bus Driver Shortage Causes School Closures in Susquehanna Township
Major Construction Planned for SE 6th Ave
Evergreen Schools Delay Start of School Year Amid Strike
Knox County Schools Achieve Top Rankings in Tennessee
Construction Begins on WIS 213 to Improve Road Safety
Traffic Disruptions Loom as Market Street Construction Begins
Lee County Schools Implement New Start Times
E-Z Way Driver Training Cancels All Classes, Leaving Families in Disarray
Downtown Silver Spring Residents Frustrated by Purple Line Construction
Additional Resources
- ABC 27: Cumberland Valley School District Experiences Bus Cancellations
- WGAL: PA School Bus Driver Shortage – Classes Canceled
- PennLive: Bus Shortage Shuts Down Dauphin County Schools
- CBS News: Winter Storm Delays and Cancellations
- Google Search: Bus Driver Shortage
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
