2009.09.29
Editorial: Roanoke's tardy buses
Enough with the late buses
If you want children to learn, get them to school on time.
Perhaps this week all Roanoke schoolchildren will be delivered to school before first bell and returned home at the expected hour. One can but hope.
It is tempting to finger Mountain Valley Transportation -- and the decision by the school board to turn to a private hauler -- as the culprit in such a colossal mess. But it wouldn't be fair.
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Dumb question, but.... why couldn't they just use the old routes with the new privatized system? Seems like a trivial problem at best, and instead of sweeping route changes, maybe alter then in small amounts to increase efficiencies so as unexpected delays that occur don't have a domino effect.
In a town where you can get anywhere in about 15-20 minutes, this seems like someone REALLY dropped the ball.
Comment by scott — September 30, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Scott, they couldn't use the old routes because they drew new attendance zones, a major undertaking. They had to develop all new routes for delivering kids to all of the elementary and middle schools. As the editorial noted, this was a considerable challenge that was aggravated by the large number of last minute transfers of students because their home school failed to make AYP.
Yes, you as a driver who needs only stop for red lights and stop signs can travel cross town in 15 minutes. Now, travel your same route and stop and every corner to load up children. See how long it takes you. (To get an idea as to how much travel time is added for buses, look at Valley Metro's schedule for a route you are familiar with.)
Regardless, it is a mess that has gone on for too long into the school year.
Comment by Luanne T. — September 30, 2009 @ 11:12 am