After start-of-year service problems, Superintendent Thomas apologized and district staff plus contractor Schmidy and Sons described route reviews, causes (construction, traffic, a power outage), staffing, improved metrics, and plans to launch the Here Comes the Bus tracking app to families.

Members asked the administration for continued focus on reliability, ride times, communication and sustainability after an Office of the Inspector General review; the district cited cost savings, expanded district‑run van service and a MassHire driver pipeline as recent reforms.

Council votes to approve payment for inspection services on Elk Road River Bridge project.