Durham School Services provides transportation for more than 18,000 students across the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Photo courtesy of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
School buses are still running, but a strike vote by Mat-Su bus drivers means families may want to stay alert and plan ahead. Negotiations are ongoing, and any changes could come with short notice. If your household depends on the bus, now is the time to watch for updates and think through backup options just in case.
Earlier this week, members of Teamsters Local 959 voted to authorize a strike against Durham School Services, the company that provides bus transportation for the Mat-Su Borough School District. The vote gives union leaders the option to call a strike if contract talks do not result in an agreement, but it does not mean buses stop running automatically. As of Thursday morning, service continues while negotiations move forward.
The Mat-Su school district serves more than 18,000 students spread across a large and often challenging geographic area, making school buses a critical link for many families. During the last bus strike in 2023, most general education routes were suspended, forcing parents to arrange rides on short notice and contributing to lower attendance at some schools.
With that experience still fresh, families may want to prepare now in case service is disrupted. That could include lining up carpools, checking school start and dismissal times, and watching daily messages from schools and the district for any changes to transportation. Some parents may also choose to talk with employers about flexible schedules if school transportation becomes uncertain.
If a strike is called, it could happen with little advance notice. In the previous labor dispute, special education routes were prioritized when limited service returned, while some general education routes remained inconsistent for weeks.
For the most accurate and timely information, parents should follow official updates from the Mat-Su Borough School District here:
https://www.matsuk12.us
Alaska Headline Living will continue tracking developments and sharing updates as negotiations continue.
