Brunswick County parents frustrated by late school bus arrivals

LELAND, N.C. (WWAY) — Some Brunswick County parents say the first week of school has come with long waits at the bus stop and tired children getting home later than expected.

Families said they expected buses to arrive sometime between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Thursday, but some students did not get home until nearly 5 p.m.

Arielle Lee said arrival times have varied throughout the first week.

“They said it would take about two weeks to get acclimated to a specific pickup and drop-off time,” Lee said.

Lee said Thursday was the latest the bus had arrived so far, leaving her son exhausted by the time he got home.

“By the time he gets off, he’s exhausted,” Lee said. “We have time to do homework. He gets a little bit of free time and then he has to get washed up and go to bed, start all over again the next day.”

Lee said families can track buses through the Edulog app and receive updates from school staff. Parents were told traffic delays were contributing to the late arrivals.

Despite the frustration, Lee said she understands it may take time for routes to settle in.

“I feel like we should give them some grace because it’s a new school year, with a lot more students,” Lee said.

Still, she hopes the delays improve.

“After the two-week mark, for sure, I don’t think the bus should be this late,” Lee said.

Linwood Williams, who was waiting for his granddaughter, shared a similar outlook.

“You just started school. Just started Monday, so you just have to give it a little time,” Williams said. “Hopefully next week it might get a little better.”

Michael English, who was waiting for his younger brothers, said the delay was frustrating.

“This makes me feel very aggravated,” English said. “It should not take this long for a bus to get here.”

Families said they hope arrival times become more consistent as the school year gets underway.