Insider Louisville is hearing that all still is not well as the Jefferson County Public School system tries to solve lingering transportation problems.
After the first two days of the 2010/2011 school year included lost students and late-night bus arrivals, the Courier-Journal reported last Thursday that, “Jefferson County Public Schools’ bus system is improving by the day, according to the school district.”
But we hear the system still is dealing with multiple transportation problems, most notably overcrowding on some routes.
Kathleen Foreman, who lives in the Springhurst area, tells Insider Louisville that overcrowding in her area is so bad that Eastern High School students abandon any pretense of “coolness” and sprint for buses to snag any available seat.
Foreman’s son, who rides the bus on the Crosby Middle School/Eastern High School route, said he’s accustomed to sitting three to a seat. But this year, kids are standing in the aisle, as well as sitting and standing in the emergency exit.
Overcrowding on the bus to Eastern High School
Foreman tells Insider Louisville that she tried address her concerns about bus overcrowding with the bus depot the very same day the Courier Journal reported the school systems’ improved progress.
The bus compound employees’ response was that they are unaware of the number of children on that particular bus.
Employees told her that it’s the bus driver’s responsibility to complain about overcrowding. And since she hasn’t complained, neither should Foreman.
When she requested someone from the bus compound intervene, the response was that they were understaffed and didn’t have time to go count the number of students on the bus, Foreman said.
When she tried to volunteer, she said, she was told that she is not legally allowed on that bus. Bus compound employees said school officials will send a form to parents of bus riders this week so they can survey their concerns.
More when we know more from JCPS transportation officials.
