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Committee flags potential savings from trimming courtesy busing but warns of major family impacts
Summary
BNF committee identified an estimated $680,000 in possible annual savings by aligning courtesy-busing distances with the statutory one-mile radius, but said the change would affect roughly 660 elementary and middle-school students and could eliminate 17 routes; the committee recommended more study and equity analysis before any policy change.
The Cherry Hill Board of Education's budget and finance committee on Tuesday outlined potential transportation savings if the district reduces courtesy busing to the statutory one-mile radius, but committee members emphasized that such a change would carry notable impacts for families and require coordination on sidewalks and safety.
The committee reported that increasing the courtesy-busing radius to one mile could eliminate about 17 routes and affect roughly 660 elementary and middle-school students, producing an estimated savings of about $680,000 annually based on current-route data. Committee members and staff stressed that impacts would vary by school; some schools have hazardous walking routes and would remain eligible for busing under safety exceptions.
"Imagine having 300 families all trying to do drop off and pickup logistics," the committee report said, stressing that some schools would be more affected than others. Staff presented preschool routing as an additional complication: most community preschool providers (except two in-district programs) currently require hazardous-route provisions, so preschool transportation savings may be limited.
Late buses at middle and high schools were also reviewed. Utilization for many high-school late routes is low (an average of 5 to 8 students per route), suggesting possible opportunities for savings; at the middle-school level, routes show moderate utilization and would be less likely to change.
The committee made no recommendations at the meeting, instead urging further data collection, seasonal utilization monitoring and equity analysis (including possible sidewalk and crossing improvements in partnership with the township and county) before proposing policy changes.
Next steps: The committee will continue to monitor ridership, examine the equity implications and discuss potential infrastructure partnering with township/county agencies before bringing any options to the full board.
