TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Toledo parents tell WTOL 11 they are demanding answers after their children's charter school bus was one hour late bringing them home this week.
Every day Reach Academy parents wait for their children's school bus, which usually arrives by 4 p.m. So on Tuesday, when the school bus didn't show up, some began to panic.
Parents called the school in east Toledo, but got no answer. Then, around 5 p.m., the bus finally showed up.
"It's kind of hectic right now. When school starts back it will get better," said the bus driver.
Classes at Reach Academy started Aug. 31, one day before the delayed bus.
Madison Wagner, 10, was on that late bus. She says the ride was not only long but also hot.
"It's hot and it's long. Today it took two hours. Two!" said Madison.
But home for Madison is different than what you may think. Madison and her family live at the Family House, a homeless shelter.
Madison's parents were upset about Tuesday's late arrival, but did not want to be identified due to their living arrangements. The Family House Executive Director Rene Palacios spoke on their behalf.
"I can understand some of the families here being concerned if their child isn't coming home for two hours," said Palacios.
"You know there's grass and the street's cut off. She went that way and it took like 40 minutes to back up!" said Madison.
The Leona Group, Reach Academy's management company, confirms that the bus ride was in fact two hours long. The Vice President says it's an "anomaly." They say traffic issues came into play and they will be adjusting bus routes as a result.
Madison says all she could think of on that hot bus was, "I just want to go home! And I'm hot."
Bus service for Reach Academy is provided by the Trinity Corporation. When asked if there are cameras on the bus, officials refused to comment and instead sent this statement:
