Durham School Services Closure Raises Questions About RCSD Transportation Future

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The pending closure of Durham School Services’ Rochester operations is raising new questions about the future of student transportation in the Rochester City School District, particularly for students with disabilities and families who rely on consistent daily transportation services.

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing with the New York State Department of Labor, Durham School Services — operating locally as Monroe School Transportation — plans to permanently close its Rochester facility this summer, resulting in approximately 180 layoffs. The closure is scheduled to take effect in July.

The move comes after RCSD completed a competitive request-for-proposals process for student transportation services and selected another provider rather than renewing Monroe School Transportation’s contract, which had been in place for nearly a decade. District officials said Monroe’s proposal was more expensive than competing bids submitted during the procurement process.

The decision has generated concern among some parents, drivers, and advocates who worry that changing transportation providers could disrupt services for vulnerable students — especially children with special needs who often depend on routine and familiarity.

“A lot of these drivers have transported the same students for years,” a former Monroe employee told News10NBC. “You build such a relationship with these kids.”

Monroe School Transportation has maintained a significant presence in Rochester for decades and has served RCSD students through a variety of transportation programs, including routes for students with disabilities. The company also participated in community initiatives, including winter clothing drives for students.

In a statement provided to local media, RCSD said its priority remains “safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation for students” and emphasized that the decision followed the district’s standard procurement procedures.

Still, the closure raises broader questions about the ongoing challenges facing school transportation systems locally and nationally.

Across the country, districts have struggled with driver shortages, rising operating costs, staffing instability, and increased transportation demands following the pandemic. Several school districts have recently changed transportation providers or restructured contracts in attempts to reduce costs or improve service efficiency.

Transportation has become an especially sensitive issue in Rochester in recent years, where chronic attendance problems and student absenteeism have remained major concerns for district leaders. Reliable transportation is often viewed as a key factor in ensuring students arrive at school consistently and safely.

The transition also comes as RCSD continues navigating broader financial and operational pressures, including budget concerns, school reconfigurations, and efforts to improve academic outcomes district-wide.

Some observers say the district will face pressure to ensure a seamless transition before the start of the next school year.

Parents of students with disabilities may be particularly attentive to how the district handles route continuity, staffing, communication with families, and driver training under any new provider.

Transportation disruptions can disproportionately impact students requiring individualized transportation plans, aides, or specialized accommodations.

Meanwhile, affected employees now face uncertainty heading into the summer.

Durham officials indicated the company was disappointed by the district’s decision but said it is pursuing other transportation opportunities in the Rochester area. Some employees may be offered opportunities at other company locations, though the Rochester closure will effectively eliminate most local positions.

The layoffs add to ongoing concerns about workforce stability within the student transportation industry, which has experienced high turnover and recruitment difficulties nationwide.

The identity of the transportation provider or providers selected by RCSD has not yet become a major focus of public discussion, but community scrutiny is likely to increase as the district prepares for the 2026-27 school year.

For many families, the issue extends beyond contracts and budgets.

School bus drivers are often among the first and last school employees students see each day, forming long-term relationships with families and serving as an important part of students’ daily routines.

As Rochester prepares for another school year marked by transition and change, many parents and employees say they will be watching closely to see whether the new transportation system can maintain the consistency, safety, and trust they say students depend on.