Rolling Blackouts for Some Bus Routes

By Press release submission

Dec 18, 2022

With the onset of winter weather and an uptick in driver absences due to illness, Olathe Public Schools is no longer able to provide transportation under the current model. The district simply does not have enough manpower to staff all the bus routes in the district.

Beginning Jan. 5, DS Bus Lines and Olathe Public Schools will implement “Rolling Transportation Blackouts” for some bus routes. Similar to the strategy used by power companies during peak energy use, this format would eliminate service for certain routes on specific days of the week. On “blackout” days, families will need to find alternate transportation for their child to/from school.

Families on routes affected by the rolling blackouts will receive a 20% discount for their second semester bus fee to reflect the change in service. Notification regarding reduced second semester payment will be processed through TouchBase. More information will be sent to families in the future. The district recognizes that a change to the transportation schedule is not ideal. However, it is a necessary step in order to be able to continue providing the most consistent service possible for Olathe School District families. This short-term solution will provide a consistent schedule for families to plan around days they will receive bus service, and days they need to arrange alternative transportation.

The schedule for rolling blackout routes is below. This will be the schedule until further notice. However, blackout days/routes are subject to change.

Parents wishing to release their bus roster space for the remainder of the year may receive a refund for the semester. Please email olathebus@dsbuslines.com to release a bus roster space.

If parents do not see their child's route listed, they will not be impacted by rolling blackouts at this time.

Monday Route Outage