Streamlined bus routes mean more walking

New, streamlined bus routes await student passengers as the school year begins, but with more efficiency comes less door-to-door service.

A computerized bus route service has straightened routes and largely eliminated redundant looping, said Superintendent Kevin Carson. However with the new routes, he said, buses will not drive into as many neighborhoods for pick-ups.

"People are going to have to do more walking," Carson said.

A bus stop at the entrance of many neighborhoods will be the only one serving some areas, and he said he anticipates receiving complaints.

"Safety is our first concern," Carson said. "Areas that we deem are unsafe, we're going to bring in a bus."

Cuts in state transportation funds amounted to about $458,000 less this year and required the district to trim bus routes in a cost-saving effort.

Transportation Supervisor Vanessa Moore said she's been working on the new bus routes and believes many of the kinks are out.

"We were able to get it up and running this summer to make it more efficient," she said.

Some of the improvements include seven dedicated buses for Mariner Middle School that will allow school to begin earlier, at 7:55 a.m., because the school no longer will have to share buses with the neighboring elementary schools, and additional buses at Shields Elementary that will reduce bus time to 30 minutes at the most.

Carson encourages parents to register for bus service before school starts so children can be added to district bus routes.

"It's important to get parents in as soon as possible to prevent a log jam," he said.

For more information about bus routes, call the district at 644-7900.