CHICAGO (WLS) — A group of CPS parents and aldermen are calling to restore school bus services for students.
It’s an ongoing struggle for parents of students trying to get their kids to school as the district continues to suffer with transportation issues.
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Tuesday, a local parents’ group asked Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to immediately restore bus service.
They also want the district to reinstate stipends previously provided to parents for alternative transportation.
Parents of diverse learners and students with disabilities said they have been most adversely affected by the ongoing bus driver shortage.
CPS said it’s making progress addressing the issue. More diverse learners have bus service now compared to at the start of the school year.
Starting Monday, select students will take part in the district’s new transportation hub program.
It’s a pilot program that allows for centralized pick-up and drop-off locations at specific schools.
CPS officials mentioned that the new program will help them transport a greater number of students using fewer drivers, in a more efficient manner. This is especially important as the district has faced challenges in bussing students from magnet or selective enrollment schools this year.
Some parents aren’t convinced. They are calling on the new school board to address the bus shortage issue.
In a statement, CPS said,
The commitment of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to work closely with vendors, city partners, and families remains unwavering. They aim to ensure that every student who qualifies for bus transportation can avail of this service.
Given the ongoing national shortage of bus drivers and in compliance with District policies and guidelines set by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), CPS has decided to prioritize school bus transportation for their most vulnerable students. This includes students with disabilities (SwD) and those in temporary living situations (STLS).
“As of Dec. 2, CPS, via our yellow school bus vendors, is transporting 12,560 District students(SwD: 11,861; STLS:118; Gen Ed: 583), an increase of 41 percent over last year at this time. Additionally, with 874 drivers employed, the District now has the highest number of drivers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Beginning Dec. 9, the District will launch the Hub Stop Pilot Program, which will begin transporting some general education students who attend magnet or selective enrollment elementary schools and that are eligible for yellow bus transportation. This pilot program aims to expand transportation access as the District works to serve eligible general education students.
“The District will initially launch this pilot program with a limited number of CPS schools serving as Hub Stops. Additional stops and eligible general education students may be added throughout the school year as capacity permits.
“The District will continue to monitor the implementation of hub stops and will make adjustments as necessary to ensure a smooth transition and optimal service for all eligible students.
“District leaders empathize and are acutely aware of the logistical challenges, from long commute times to upended family and work schedules, for the families of those students who have been without yellow school bus transportation from the District for the past couple of years and that is why our leaders have never stopped exploring all possible solutions.
“To date, the District has:
– Increased bus driver wages twice
– Advocated for reasonable bus driver state testing and certification requirements
– Added $1,000 driver retention bonus
-Paid for and provided Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Ventra cards to students and a companion at no cost and assisted with more funding for before- and after-school supports.
– Implemented adjusted bell times by 15 minutes at 36 District schools.
– Collaborated with vendor partners who provide alternative modes of transportation.”
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