Disruption in School Bus Services in Monmouth County Due to Insurance Issues
NEPTUNE, NJ – The Neptune Public Schools and Monmouth County Vocational School District are facing significant disruption as Seman-Tov, the bus company contracted to provide transportation services, suspended service for several routes due to an unexpected insurance issue. This announcement has left parents scrambling to find alternative travel arrangements for their children.
On Tuesday morning, Tami Crader, the Superintendent of Neptune Schools, explained the challenges in a conversation with the Asbury Park Press. She disclosed that Seman-Tov was unable to fulfill its obligations for 35 school routes, which include large-bus transportation for students at various local schools. Crader emphasized that though the issue is not exclusive to Neptune, the reliance on Seman-Tov for the majority of transportation services has made the district particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.
“We understand this situation is affecting many families,” Crader stated. “We are working with alternative transportation vendors to provide coverage as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we encourage parents to plan on transporting their children until we resolve this situation.”
In a message communicated to parents late Monday, Crader notified them of the service interruption, stating that they had received late notice regarding the bus company’s inability to provide necessary dismissal services. She assured families that updates would be communicated as they continued their efforts to establish backup transportation.
Similarly, Megan Labas, a principal at Monmouth County Vocational School District in Tinton Falls, addressed the issue in a note to parents. “We acknowledge that this disruption is unfortunate and appreciate your understanding,” she wrote. Labas confirmed that the interruption was limited strictly to routes served by Seman-Tov, reassuring parents that other transportation companies were not affected.
As of now, officials from Seman-Tov have not responded to inquiries seeking details about the nature of the insurance problem or whether other school districts may be similarly impacted. The lack of communication has left many in the community, including parents and school officials, seeking clarity on the situation.
This incident underscores the growing challenges faced by school districts in ensuring reliable transportation for students, particularly when dependent on a single contractor. As the situation develops, both Neptune and the Monmouth County Vocational School District remain committed to keeping families informed and minimizing the disruption caused by this unexpected turn of events.
Parents are urged to stay in close communication with school officials for updates and potential solutions in the coming days as the schools work diligently to restore normal transportation routines for affected students.
