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Salem officials fix Tripfinder app setting, warn of ongoing Collins dismissal congestion
Summary
District staff said they adjusted Tripfinder settings so parents can see buses beyond scheduled arrival times and asked for patience while they address dismissal congestion at Collins; Salem Police provided on-site support.
Salem Public Schools staff told the school committee on Sept. 8 they adjusted settings in the Tripfinder/Transfinder routing app to keep buses visible in the app for up to 40 minutes past their expected arrival time, addressing parent complaints about buses “disappearing” when they were delayed.
Elizabeth from transportation explained the problem: when buses ran late they temporarily vanished from the app, which was most frustrating for parents. District IT and Transfinder staff modified the app settings so afternoon coverage showed buses for up to 40 minutes beyond expected arrival times; officials said that change was in place for the Sept. 8 afternoon commute.
Officials also described significant dismissal congestion at Collins (where additional students from Saltonstall and other schools have been consolidated). The superintendent and deputy superintendent said they observed heavy traffic and thanked Salem Police for assisting with dismissal; the police were monitoring dismissal and will suggest adjustments to traffic flow. Member Hoffman and other committee members asked staff to check crossing-guard coverage at busy crosswalks such as North Street and Jackson Street.
The superintendent asked families to be patient as districts and transportation vendors make additional routing and monitor tweaks over the next week while second-tier school runs settle into routines. He said staff rode buses with deputy superintendent Carboni to observe routes and congestion patterns.
No formal action was taken; staff said they would follow up with lists of crossing-guard locations and continue working with Transfinder and Salem Police.
