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Resident urges city to change Betsy Lane crosswalk to restore hazardous bussing for neighborhood children
Summary
At the May 20 Murphy City Council meeting, resident Robert Flanagan asked the council to modify a pedestrian-activated crosswalk on Betsy Lane so nearby families can re-qualify for Plano ISD hazardous bussing; Councilmember Janae Butler requested the item be added to the June 3 agenda.
Robert Flanagan, a resident of the Avery area, told the City Council on May 20 that a pedestrian-activated crosswalk at Betsy Lane and Oriole is making the crossing less safe for elementary-age children and is blocking the neighborhood’s eligibility for hazardous bussing under Plano ISD rules.
"I'd like to modify it so that it is not qualified as a pedestrian activated crosswalk," Flanagan said, arguing the existing crossing is not at a signalized intersection and does not provide the sight lines needed for young children. He said about 80 students live in the area and about half currently ride the bus; he estimated roughly 40 students would lose bus service under the district's current interpretation.
Flanagan urged the council to change the crosswalk configuration so families would again meet Plano ISD’s hazardous-bussing criteria. He said parents he has spoken with plan to drive instead and expects "about 40 more cars in the carpool line" if busing is discontinued.
Councilmember Janae Butler responded to the comment by asking staff to place a discussion item on a future council agenda. The city secretary indicated Butler requested the matter be added to the June 3 council meeting to allow staff — including the police chief, who was in training — to present an assessment of the city’s crosswalk program and staffing.
The matter was raised during the public comment portion of the meeting; no formal council vote or policy change occurred on May 20. Council members and staff said they will return with an assessment before the next school session.
The city did not provide on the record at the meeting a formal survey or traffic study of the Betsy Lane crossing, exact school routes, or a definitive count of students who would be affected beyond the resident’s estimate. Those details were described by the speaker as based on local knowledge and conversations with area parents.
