Barrington Elementary School Bus Driver Gets Lost Bringing Students Home

BARRINGTON, RI — A bus driver got lost while bringing elementary school students in Barrington home from the first day of school on Monday, according to Superintendent Mike Messore.

Messore, in a letter sent to families, said a new bus driver took a wrong turn and ended up in Warren, creating significant delays in bringing students home from the Hampden Meadows and Nayatt schools.

The error resulted in school bus company Ocean State Transit directing the lost driver to meet up with another bus on Governor Bradford Drive. Messore said Ocean State Transit then transferred students to another bus without contacting Barrington Public Schools. Messore said several students were dropped off at the wrong stop.

"Today's service from Ocean State Transit is unacceptable," Messore said. "It does not reflect the quality of bus transportation our students and families deserve, nor does it meet the level of safety, security, or trust that our district expects. We are very sorry for the great stress that this experience caused you and your children on their first day of school."

Ocean State Transit provided the bus route with a new driver on Tuesday. School officials said the company is expected to meet with them to ensure an incident like this does not happen again.

Ocean State Transit is also taking questions from parents over the phone. School officials said the company can be reached at 401-388-5001.

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