Possible Bus Plan 2024-2025

By Medina Ozegovic and Khamari Eubanks

The JCPS bus system had many problems this school year. Kids often arrived home very late, between 6 to 10 pm, instead of the usual time, which should be around 3:30 to 4:30 pm. I could understand if one bus was occasionally late, but it's unacceptable that many JCPS buses were consistently late and involved in accidents, with kids on board. This is not only frustrating for the kids but also for their parents. According to a WDRB article, "Union leadership reacts to plan to cut JCPS bus routes for 2024-25 school Year," "The current transportation plan has left JCPS with crowded buses, modified school start times, later student - drop offs  and bus driver callouts¨.  I could only imagine how parents reacted when their kids didn't come home at the right time and no one knew where their kid was. So, what's the plan for next school year? 

What is the plan for buses next school year?

According to the Louisville Public Media article, JCPS may eliminate, consolidate some bus routes to solve transportation issues, JCPS is considering a new plan for 2024 -2025. ¨If a student is accepted into a magnet school or goes to a school on transfer that is not in their zone, there will no longer be transportation available to attend that school." Jcps wants to cut bus routes to kids who have applied and gotten into their desired school, leaving those students without a ride to or from school. Basically, if you find a school you really want to attend, you have to find your own way to school. Many students have families that cannot provide transport due to their jobs or even lack of their own transportation.  

Nothing has been decided yet, but the school board is trying to pass this proposal. I  personally don't think it is fair to the kids who desperately want to go to a different school and can't. The fact that the school board is even considering this proposal is absurd because public schools in general should have a way for THEIR students to get to the schools they want to attend within the district. 

What I think should be done 

There are various ways to find a solution to this problem, and I understand it's not an easy task. However, we shouldn't prevent kids from getting the transportation they need.

Firstly, I believe the schedule should return to normal because there was no reason for it to be changed initially.  There were some late buses, but not as many as this year. Additionally, instead of cutting bus routes, they should be adjusted. Cutting routes only reduces the number of kids served, which doesn't solve the problem.

Secondly, bus drivers deserve to be paid more for everything they have to deal with. The entire issue stems from the fact that bus drivers are not adequately compensated for the challenges they face. They deal with screaming, fights, attitude, and arguments, and it's not fair for them to be yelled at for mistakes made by JCPS. Increasing their pay would help to address the difficulties they endure.