As Boston schools prepare for in-person learning, the bus drivers' union has demanded regular, in-yard COVID-19 testing, vaccinations on the front lines and strict adherence to safety procedures. The demands came in a release Tuesday before a rally at the headquarters of Transdev, Boston Public School's bus contractor.

"There can be no safe school bus transportation while the pandemic continues to rage and vaccinations are unavailable to our largely Black, Brown and elder members," the union, USW Local 8751, said in the release.

According to the union, there have been nearly 40 coronavirus infections among bus drivers, monitors, mechanics and safety dispatch workers since Boston's schools restarted in early October.

The union couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

Boston Teachers Union president Jessica Tang attended the rally, which was streamed on Facebook, to express support for the drivers' demands.

"We agree you should have access to COVID testing as efficiently and conveniently as possible," she said. "We also believe you need to get vaccinated as well."

Al Vega, president of a United Steelworkers Local 9358 and the director of policy and programs at the Massachusetts Coaltion For Occupational Safety and Health, also attended.

"We know that there's not enough data and statistics to show the amount of people who've gotten sick simply by going to work. And that's not right," he said. "So I know why you're out here today is simply fighting for people to get access to the testing that ... is necessary to protect yourself. To get prioritization for vaccines, especially if our state keeps pushing for in-person learning."

In a statement, BPS and Transdev said they have collaborated to put together new policies, which they said they've maintained throughout the pandemic and updated as guidance has changed.

"In addition, BPS has provided weekly COVID-19 testing for bus drivers and bus monitors at a centralized location," the statement said. "Last week, BPS notified bus drivers about ways they can receive a vaccine and signed workers up for vaccination appointments on the spot."

According to BPS, the district held info sessions about vaccinations at bus yards in both English and Haitian Creole and provided a flyer in both languages with information on how to book an appointment. The district booked drivers for vaccination appointments at Tufts Medical Center.

According to the district, response to testing at the central BPS location has been "extremely low."

Before the pandemic, some 25,000 BPS students relied on bus service to get to school.