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PGCPS work group explores hub-stop model, asks director for raw cost scenarios for specialty-school routes
Summary
At a May 11 PGCPS strategic-realignment work group meeting, a subcommittee reviewed transportation data (including the district's 'Chipmunk' routing app), reported a mixed fleet of 50 vendor vans plus yellow buses, and asked Director Kiva Baldwin for raw cost analyses on eliminating or restructuring K'8 specialty-school routes and on potential hub stops; no formal decision was taken.
At a May 11 meeting of the Prince George's County Public Schools strategic realignment work group, a subcommittee pressed the transportation office for concrete cost figures to evaluate major changes to how the district routes students to specialty programs.
Subcommittee chair Vickery reported the group reviewed a 2024 transportation report and the district's newer Chipmunk routing app, saying the system has shifted from a yellow-bus-only model to a mix of providers. "We have 50 vans out there, and we do still have our yellow buses out there," Vickery said, describing the current fleet mix and operational complexity.
Members focused on three scenarios and asked Director Kiva Baldwin to return raw cost numbers: the fiscal effect of (1) eliminating transportation for K'8 specialty schools, (2) creating hub stops where families would gather to board buses for specialty schools, and (3) a two-tier model that would change routes and service levels. Vickery said the subgroup was not proposing immediate cuts but wanted data to inform equity work and conversations with other departments.
The group raised equity concerns about removing or changing service for students in specialized programs and asked the transportation office to model the student, route and cost impacts rather than recommending a particular policy. Participants also recommended a communications campaign for absentee reporting and more efficient stop skipping when students are out sick so drivers do not run unnecessary stops.
No formal motions or votes were taken. The subcommittee assigned homework to Director Baldwin to return detailed, scenario-based cost estimates and route-implication data at a future meeting; the timeline for that follow-up depends on broader budget decisions the board and county may make this month.
The work group reconvened for a brief share-out at the end of the meeting and scheduled the next session for May 26.
