Worcester parents look for answers after school buses don't pick up children

Although schools in Worcester started almost two weeks ago, some students have been left behind as school buses have not come to pick them up.

Superintendent Maureen Binienda said she has handled around 20 cases of kids not getting picked up for school over the last two weeks.

One of those children is 5-year-old Phoenix Costa, who hasn't been picked up since kindergarten started on August 30.

Meanwhile, her mother, Chalicia Costa, is left to wonder what's going on.

"Come on, this is ridiculous," Costa said. "I thought this was going to be fixed yesterday, and she's still home."

Costa said she enrolled her daughter months ago, but the district said Phoenix wasn't in the system.

Costa isn't the only parent with the issue, as another parent told Boston 25 News his son hadn't been picked up by the bus, either.

However, Binienda said that the problem is occurring because of the short amount of time schools have been in session.

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"It's typical that we're still working out the kinks," Binienda said. "It's a surprise to me too, but it takes a couple weeks to get everything set."

Binienda said the problem would be fixed, but Costa said she isn't holding her breath.

"I doubt it will be," Costa said. "She'll probably still be home."

Cox Media Group