To: Administrators of Green Mountain Transit
From: Members of the City Council of Burlington
Re: Request to present at City Council Meeting regarding bus incident on 5/23/19 involving
Burlington School District students
Date: May 28, 2019

The Green Mountain Transit (GMT) provides valuable & needed services to the residents
of Burlington, Chittenden County and many other counties in our state. We, members of
the Burlington City Council, are appreciative of the services provided by the
transportation entity. We appreciate all the innovation currently underway to respond to
the need for safe and enjoyable rides for our citizens with GMT, and especially major
action in responding appropriately to our city and state efforts at reducing carbon by
progressively transitioning fleets to electric buses. With the transportation services GMT
provides, many staff and children of the Burlington School District are accessing school
on a daily basis and in a timely manner when school is in session. We value the services
you provide and the nature of our strong partnership on behalf of our citizens.
Recently, a group of concerned citizens and parents of the Burlington School District
brought to our attention an alarming issue of an incident that took place on Friday, May
23rd involving a bus driver of the bus line #47, bus number #914 at approximately 3:00pm
and children from Edmunds Elementary and Middle Schools.
The Burlington City Council members received a side of the story: “The bus driver of
this bus, carrying Edmunds Middle School and Edmunds Elementary School students,
forced approximately 17 students of color to disembark because they were singing and
clapping.” Children ranged in ages from 5 to 13 years old.
The Burlington City Council members via our city council president respectfully requests
a member(s) of the GMT administration to present at our next City Council meeting to
explain the nature of the incident that took place on May 23, 2019 involving Elementary
and Middle Schools students of Burlington and Bus driver of Bus number 914. In
addition, a general overview of the following questions would be much appreciated:
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Nature of the partnership between GMT and The City of Burlington
Nature of the partnership between GMT and The Burlington School District
Safety measures ensuring the safety and well being of all GMT riders
The types of incidents GMT bus drivers encounter on a daily basis and how often
they occur
How GMT collects and addresses customer complaints
How our municipality and its departments (including BSD) can better collaborate
with GMT to address safety and prevent behavioral incidences.

Thank you in advance for your consideration,
City Council members: Dieng, Tracy,