District to consolidate bus stops, reduce elementary buses by eight so far

The North Allegheny School Board received an informational transportation update June 12 outlining planned consolidation of bus stops and route adjustments intended to reduce student time on buses and improve reliability for the 2024'25 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Hyland said the district surveyed parents after transportation challenges earlier in the year and will communicate route changes through students' PowerSchool accounts. The district stressed safety and walking routes were considered in decisions.

Transportation manager Mr. Mergen reported the elementary routes review showed an average reduction of about 15% in bus stops across elementary schools (a range of roughly 10% to 19% by school). He said the district has reduced the number of elementary buses required by eight so far and is still reviewing middle-school routes (Carson reductions noted at four buses so far). "Between the 7 elementary schools, we have reduced the number of buses required to do that by 8 so far," he said.

Board members expressed both gratitude and caution: some welcomed the safety and cost benefits of bringing some contracted work in-house, while others asked whether driver counts or workloads could be affected. Dr. Hyland said the board would receive a fuller presentation in August before the school year begins.

What happens next: families will receive email notification and bus assignments via PowerSchool when routes are finalized (staff said that communication would be issued in early August or the first workday if Aug. 1 falls on a weekend).