National Guard Ends School Transportation; Bus Drivers Hired

MASSACHUSETTS — The Massachusetts National Guard will no longer transport students to and from school, as enough bus drivers have been hired to fill staffing gaps, officials announced on Monday.

At the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, Gov. Charlie Baker activated the Massachusetts National Guard to assist school districts amid "an unprecedented, national shortage of bus drivers," officials said.

From Sept. 14 to Nov. 5, nearly 200 Guard personnel traveled over 300,000 miles to oversee nearly 15,000 student drop-offs and pick-ups in 13 school districts across the Commonwealth.

Read more: National Guard Expands School Transportation To 5 More Districts

The school districts that requested assistance are now able to meet their transportation needs through civilian drivers, so the Guard has concluded its mission, officials said.

"Time and again throughout its history, the Massachusetts National Guard has stepped up to serve the communities of our Commonwealth, and that has never been more true than during the last year and a half," Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said. "We appreciate the professionalism and dedication of the members of the Guard who supported this mission, and thank them for their service."

The Guard provided school transportation in Brockton, Chelsea, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Quincy, Revere, Wachusett (regional), Woburn, and Worcester.