December 31, 2019–7:55 a.m.
STAFF REPORTS
When Rome City School System students return to class next week they will be doing so on new school buses.
The school system will begin operating its own district-wide transportation system on January 7.
Superintendent Louis Byars says bus numbers, routes and schedules will be the same.
After using Rome Transit Department buses for more than 35 years, city officials were abruptly told in February that they would have to find another way to transport students.
Since then, the school system has purchased 35 new buses, bringing its total fleet to 55.
The school board also recently closed on property on Three Rivers Drive to park the buses.