ST. LOUIS — A little more than a week into the school year, Saint Louis Public School bus routes have to be more efficient. That's the word from the district's acting superintendent. 

The district had to revamp its transportation plans when its bus vendor canceled its contract ahead of this school year. 

The result is a patchwork of taxis, buses, vans and Metro Buses. The vendors, part of a group of almost two dozen agencies and organizations, were vetted by district administrators, but did not have to provide a guarantee of vehicles or the staff to drive them, the district said Monday afternoon.

Acting Superintendent Dr. Millecent Borishade Tuesday night told board members that parents would get notified about transportation updates on Friday. 

The end result, she said, is that more students will end up on traditional school buses.

Borishade said the first day of school saw a 72% attendance rate district-wide based on projected enrollment, which rose to 86% by the end of the week, and on Monday was 88%.

She did not address on-time rates at Tuesday’s work session. She said the district plans to meet Friday with some of the alternative vendors to address on-time performance.