Parents in Waterbury are sounding the alarm as school bus shortages leave children stranded — or force families to scramble for transportation themselves.

One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Waterbury Times that she drives some kids, including her own, to school daily because the buses often don’t show. “I’m the only available parent in the area and I actually care about these kids’ education,” she said.

Even when buses arrive, service is inconsistent. Some days, students are picked up by a white van labeled Durham School Services, a substitute system that transports students when regular buses are unavailable. But according to parents, this stopgap solution is unpredictable, particularly in the afternoons — leaving high school students waiting long past dismissal.

The parent described a daily roulette: “It varies depending on which staff is driving. Some kids never miss a bus, others wait and wait every day.”

The shortage is being blamed on staffing issues, with the school district citing “no available drivers.” Parents say the problem has persisted all year, causing stress, lateness to work, and frustration for families.

The Waterbury Times will be investigating this issue further, starting Monday morning at local area bus stops to document the ongoing struggles. Stay tuned for our full video report — and the question some Waterbury students are asking: “Where is the Bus?”