TOWN OF TONAWANDA — With a new school year set to begin Tuesday, the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District has created two services to help parents with busing concerns involving their children.

A call center, which will be staffed by up to five district employees will be available throughout September to for families who would like to speak to a representative concerning bus routes, schedules, and pick-up locations. Workers handling call center inquiries will provide information as well as accept bussing requests that will be communicated to transportation staff.

Nearly 75 percent of the district’s students use bus transportation. There are 228 school buses that transport 6,000 students on 521 routes to the district’s 13 schools.

The district’s transportation director John O’Connor said the call center allows parents to speak directly with someone who can help them with their transportation needs.

Part of our mission is to provide families with the highest levels of customer service,” O’Connor said. “ Our new call center will provide parents with important transportation information and streamlines any requests they may have concerning pick-ups or drop-offs.”

The number for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District Transportation Call Center is 871-3080.

In addition to the call center, the district’s transportation department beginning Sept. 7 will offer an information line that provides a recorded announcement regarding up to the minute information about potential changes to routes and schedules.

The information line will be beneficial for any unexpected changes to routes and schedules because of inclement weather or road emergencies not related to the district. Some streets within the district are closed due to the massive Parker-Fries sewer improvement project.

“This is another pro-active step our district has taken to maintain strong lines of communication with parents and our community,” said Superintendent Mark Mondanaro.

The information line number is 871-3081 and will begin on the first day of school. An automated message will play for those who call the information line recording. Messages will not be accepted.

School board president Bob Dana said he’s proud of the efforts to broaden communications between parents and district staff.

“Our drivers are responsible for transporting precious cargo: The children of our district, and it is important for parents to know information about our bus service is one phone call away,” Dana said.

District bus drivers were on town streets Friday morning familiarizing themselves with their routes.