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Parents decry long elementary bus rides; board ratifies purchase of three passenger vans
Summary
A parent said some elementary children are spending about 90 minutes on buses; the board ratified purchase of three passenger vans and discussed driver shortages and potential bus-tracking technology.
A parent and other speakers told the Wissahickon School District board on Aug. 26 that some elementary students are spending an excessive amount of time on afternoon bus rides, and transportation staff described steps under way to ease routing problems.
Joseph Canefic, a parent from Plymouth Township, told the board his 6- and 7-year-old children were on a bus for about 75'90 minutes in the afternoon traveling roughly seven miles from their parochial school to the designated stop. "That is nearly 90 minutes of time on the bus for my 6 and 7 year old children to go the 7 miles from Saint Jen's to our bus stop," Canefic said. He urged the district to contract temporary transportation service until driver shortages are resolved.
Transportation Director Derek Platt acknowledged there have been delays during the first two days of school and attributed them to driver shortages and students still learning routes. "The first couple of days, the students are still figuring out which bus to get on," Platt said, adding that some buses are arriving more punctually than in prior years: "We are getting some buses that are arriving on time, which is positive."
Board staff and the board approved the ratification of a summer purchase of three transit passenger vans for the transportation department. Tim (board secretary) said the district had older vehicles more than 10 years old; some were auctioned or repurposed and three new vans will be placed into service and be eligible for state subsidy. He told the board repurposed vans would be available for athletic and activity trips.
Administrators also said they are exploring tracking technology for buses and that the district discussed the idea with the transportation director on the night of the meeting.
Why it matters: Long ride times for young children raise safety, supervision and equity concerns and have been raised by parents at the start of the school year. The board approved a local vehicle purchase to help transportation capacity, and staff said they will continue to pursue driver recruitment and operational fixes.
No formal change to routes or a contractor was approved at the Aug. 26 meeting; a parent requested temporary outside service as an interim solution.
