STX School Bus Service Resumes Sept. 29 with Fl

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS —Following prolonged negotiations, the school bus service will resume in the St. Croix district on Wednesday, Sept. 29. The Department of Education was only recently able to finalize the contract with Abramson Enterprises, Inc, the company that operates the school buses.

Students will benefit from a fleet of 15 new buses, however. The new buses are the property of the Virgin Islands Department of Education. This marks the first time the general education student population on St. Croix would be transported in buses owned by the Department.

Historically, access to school buses on St. Croix had been contracted through Abramson. Special education students on St. Croix have been transported in Department-owned school buses since 2018.

PreK-3rd and CTE students attending in-person classes will be picked up at designated locations in or near their neighborhoods. School bus service will not operate for Claude O. Markoe Elementary School, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, as the school has reverted to virtual learning due to COVID-19 exposure on the campus.

Motorists are reminded to observe all safety signage and speed limits when approaching a stopped school bus or when driving in a school zone.

Parents are reminded to ensure their children follow School Bus Safety Rules, including:

• A face mask must be worn at all times, covering the nose and mouth, while at the bus stop and riding the school bus
• Students may sit no more than two persons per seat
• Students are expected to be waiting at the bus stop closest to their residence at least five minutes before the bus arrives
• Students should not be standing or playing in the roadway
• Students should ensure traffic has stopped before stepping into the roadway to load and unload the bus
• Students must always follow the instructions of the school bus driver

Start your day with the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here. And follow Patch USVI on Facebook to get the latest, breaking news.