The predicted bus driver walkout over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline Monday did not come to fruition in the Greater Danbury area.  Several local Superintendents, including in Brookfield, had sent letters home over the weekend warning that there could be alternate routes set up and longer routes if drivers called out.  Brookfield was short a few drivers, but routes ran as usual.  Some parents chose to drive their kids to school themselves.  In Bethel, Danbury, Newtown, New Milford, Sherman and Region 12 there were no driver walkouts.  First Student worked with drivers to comply with the vaccine mandate and the bus company did not seen any large interruptions to service because of it, but noted there is a nationwide need for school bus drivers.  The only real problem area was Region 15 in Southbury.  Five drivers were out yesterday, a couple for reasons other than the mandate.  Four bus routes were altered yesterday.