Farmington’s School Bus Service Sees $7,000 Credit After Rocky Start.
When Farmington’s students hopped on school buses this September, they didn’t expect chaos to follow. This school year’s rocky rollout of Specialty Transportation’s service sparked widespread complaints from parents, staff, and the Board of Education. After weeks of restored stability, the bus company has issued a $7,000 credit to the district as a gesture of goodwill.
Here’s everything you need to know about what went wrong, how it was fixed, and what’s next for Farmington’s school transportation.
What Went Wrong?
Farmington’s partnership with Specialty Transportation got off to a turbulent start. Parents reported significant delays in the first weeks of school, including students arriving home well past the contracted 15-minute window after dismissal. Some buses didn’t come, leaving sports teams stranded and requiring last-minute fixes from the district. Even teachers and administrators rode buses to supervise and troubleshoot operations.
These issues were clear violations of Specialty’s contract, which requires timeliness and adherence to specific safety standards. While the Board of Education explored its options, the district prioritized finding immediate solutions to ensure safety and restore order.
The $7,000 Credit: Fair or Not Enough?
Initially, Specialty Transportation proposed a $4,000 credit, but negotiations with the district—led by Assistant Superintendent of Finance Dan Zatune—secured a $7,000 adjustment instead. This amount reflects fines for delays and service disruptions under the contract terms.
Each violation typically incurs a $100 penalty unless an entire route is canceled, which triggers a daily rate deduction of $540 per bus. Specialty also opted to issue this credit as an act of goodwill rather than an itemized fine, underscoring their commitment to improving operations and maintaining a strong partnership with Farmington.
While some board members and community members expressed concerns that the amount might not fully account for the disruptions experienced, others emphasized the importance of Specialty’s demonstrated commitment to better service moving forward.
What’s Changed?
Specialty Transportation has made significant strides since September. Weekly meetings between the district and the provider have been reduced to bi-weekly sessions as the number of complaints dwindled. Principals and administrators have reported improved performance and communication, with far fewer incidents of lateness or miscommunication.
The district has also received positive feedback about Specialty’s invoicing system, which is now more transparent and easier to track than previous providers. This has streamlined budgeting and provided clarity around service charges.
What’s Next for Farmington’s Buses?
With stability largely restored, the focus shifts to maintaining consistent service. Specialty Transportation has pledged to meet contract obligations, even as challenges such as driver shortages persist industry-wide. The Board of Education will continue to monitor the situation, ready to hold Specialty accountable if issues arise again.
For now, the $7,000 credit signals a turning point in what was one of the most discussed issues of the school year. Parents and students can finally look forward to predictable transportation, while the district can focus its attention on other priorities.
Want to relive the full discussion? Watch the Board of Education meeting here on YouTube.
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Jack Beckett
Senior Writer at The Farmington Mercury ☕✍️
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