bus stop
Lost Kids Board Wrong Bus, Unexpectedly Arrive in Tempe
School buses are universally recognized by their long, boxy shape and bright yellow hue. However, their uniformity can sometimes lead to mix-ups, with students boarding the wrong bus.
In Maricopa, this issue has larger consequences since buses often transport kids across city and county lines. This confusion is particularly prevalent at the beginning of the school year when students are less familiar with their bus routes and fellow passengers.
On the first two days of the new school term—Wednesday and Thursday—several students in the Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD) ended up on buses from other districts. As a result, they were transported outside Maricopa, according to MUSD spokesperson Mishell Terry.
Terry mentioned that the district has been investigating the incidents through social media and internal communications to understand what went wrong.
Similar incidents have occurred in other areas. On Tuesday, in San Tan Valley, a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old had to dial 911 after boarding the wrong bus and getting lost, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
On social media, it was noted that some MUSD students mistakenly boarded buses intended for the Tempe Union and Kyrene Districts. However, the district could not confirm if any students actually arrived at these unintended destinations, and no parents reported such incidents to the administration.
One high school student did end up at a Tempe Union school on Thursday. After contacting his mother, she drove to Tempe to pick him up. Terry confirmed that their transportation director has been in touch with the parent, expressing relief that the student was safe and able to contact his family.
Terry emphasized that these incidents highlight the need for vigilance. “While these incidents involved older students and buses from other districts, they underscore the importance of ensuring all students board the correct buses,” she said. “This is a reminder for our own drivers to remain vigilant to prevent such situations.”
The district is committed to improving its procedures and increasing driver awareness to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, Terry added.