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Board adopts IUSD transportation plan after survey shows safety and service concerns
Summary
The board adopted the district—s 2024–25 transportation plan after staff presented funding gaps, route details, and survey results from more than 3,000 respondents; public comment called for expanded home-to-school service and safer bike/ebike infrastructure.
The Irvine Unified School District Board voted to adopt the district—s 2024–25 local education transportation plan after a staff presentation and public comment. Staff said the plan meets Education Code requirements, prioritizes TK–6 students living outside non-transportation zones and students with disabilities, and documents collaborative work with the City of Irvine on safe routes to school and route planning.
Joe Chapin, director of maintenance, operations and transportation, summarized the district—s funding picture and routing: the district receives roughly $3.5 million in ongoing state funds for home-to-school transportation this year while total transportation expenditures are approximately $9.9 million, leaving an unfunded gap Chapin described as "about $4.5 million," which he said equals the cost of roughly 35 teaching positions in the district—s fiscal context. Chapin also described existing grandfathered routes and two University High School routes subsidized in partnership with the city.
Assistant director Jennifer Peyton presented results from a ThoughtExchange-backed survey that drew a little over 3,000 participants (up from ~1,000 last year). Peyton said the survey found most students travel by private car, 35.4% use student-powered transportation (walking, biking, scooters), and 21% walk to school. Respondents prioritized zero-emission buses (58% favorability), prioritizing planned transportation for TK–6 students who live outside non-transportation zones (64%), and ensuring services for students with disabilities and students experiencing homelessness (80% favorability).
Public comment included Northwood High student Jay Bruce, who urged the board to press for more home-to-school transportation to reduce traffic, time spent commuting and emissions; Bruce said a separate student survey found 49% of Northwood respondents would use a bus service. Board members emphasized using the survey data in ongoing quarterly meetings with city public works, police and transportation staff to pursue route adjustments and safety measures. Members discussed ebike parking and safety trainings, noting some high schools report substantial ebike usage.
After discussion the board voted to adopt the transportation plan as submitted. Staff said they will share survey data with the city, continue quarterly coordination to refine routes and safety measures, and consider targeted expansion where interest and funding make new routes viable.
