Bus Routes

[Pamela Treacy]

Anyone else having trouble with the bus schedules?

My daughter's bus is pulling into FMS at 8:24. She says the day starts promptly at 8:30 and that annoucements are read before the start of the day.

I really don't like that she rushes to start her day. What is a reasonable time to expect a bus to get to a middle school that starts at 8:30?

I have called the school and they are checking, but I wanted to make sure I was realistic in my expectations. The bus is also running near capacity with three kids to a seat -- middle school sized children. This is legal. They can even have kids standing.

Part of the problem is that the bus now goes through 4 neighborhoods since our high school bus goes to HVA. They don't reverse the route in the afternoon which seems like a fair thing to do. Any opinions?

Thanks.

[Darlene Hunter]

My daughter says she isn't sure when the bus gets to school, but I don't think she has a lot of time. The first few days there were a lot of empty seats on the bus, but now it is full. Last year this route was half FMS half combined FMS/FHS. This year it is only supposed to pick up/drop off for FMS yet it is the same exact route as last year. She did say that there was someone, a young man, that got on the bus but he still attends FHS ( a junior). She belives the bus driver said something to him. I am waiting to see if this continues.

As for crowded buses, my older daughter rode a very crowded bus o Karns for 2 1/ years. They wree often four in a seat and sitting. Mind you this was middle and high school teens who are not the size of second graders. One day the bus was so crowded her and her friend were sitting on the bus steps. The bus was noisy and the driver slammed on the brakes. My daughter was banged against the metal hand rail. You should have seen the bruise on her face and her black eye. I complained, but didn't even get a response. She got her liscence and a car shortly thereafter.

[Pamela Treacy]

Darlene,

That is a horrible story. I am now feeling grateful that they are just three to a sit. There are forms on the KCS website to fill out for called Parent Concerns.

The school staff said they would check into. I will see if I get a follow up call.

Pamela

[Darlene Hunter]

I filed those forms. I would show you the pictures, but I recently cleaned files off that computer to give to my daughter. Since the daughter this happened to just graduated, I felt I no longer needed them.

Good luck with the crowded situation. I am just greatful for sports right now so my youngest isn't riding very often.