When Middleboro considered the cost of school bus transportation several years ago, it was generally agreed that the lack of sidewalks and potential harm that might result from increased numbers of students walking to school, eliminated consideration of bus fees.
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While that seems a sensible solution, no subsequent dialogue has ensued about the escalating fuel expenses and other ways of reducing costs, routes and mileage, as other states and communities are addressing the issue.
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California communities seem to have been active in their attempt to reduce costs (emphasis mine):
.... the fuel crisis is heading to school. And while businesses and families have been struggling to handle the costs, schools have a few special issues. Most of those big yellow buses are fueled by diesel. With diesel at $4.56 a gallon, those 96-gallon tanks cost $438 a fill-up.
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And drivers of school buses, which get just 8 miles per gallon, can't use mileage-stretching tips like combining errands and avoiding excessive idling.
And drivers of school buses, which get just 8 miles per gallon, can't use mileage-stretching tips like combining errands and avoiding excessive idling.
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So school districts are consolidating bus routes, charging steeper fees for yearly bus passes and expanding the "walking distance" between homes and school.
So school districts are consolidating bus routes, charging steeper fees for yearly bus passes and expanding the "walking distance" between homes and school.
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Maybe at a certain point, consideration will be given to increasing sidewalks further as an investment that reduces busing. Does the capital investment make sense? Is it on anyone's radar? Is it cost effective?
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Mercury News went on to add:
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Years of budget cuts have driven down school bus ridership. Less than 15 percent of California's 6.3 million students ride a school bus, according to the California Department of Education.
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In contrast, Massachusetts has ridership of 98 percent. In Minnesota, it's 99 percent, according to School Bus Transportation News.
In contrast, Massachusetts has ridership of 98 percent. In Minnesota, it's 99 percent, according to School Bus Transportation News.
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Paltry ridership has a ripple effect. Limited busing leads many parents to drive their children to school. That increases traffic congestion around campuses, which increases the likelihood of accidents and dangerous drop-off and pick-up situations.
Paltry ridership has a ripple effect. Limited busing leads many parents to drive their children to school. That increases traffic congestion around campuses, which increases the likelihood of accidents and dangerous drop-off and pick-up situations.
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Wasn't money appropriated at the Special Town Meeting to pay for the increased fuel costs for school busing? Who determines the bus routes? Who funds the transportation costs? Is that why no one is asking? Just wondering.
3 comments:
Expanded sidewalks are a good idea but the town does not want to clear them quickly after snow events. This may only be a short number of days a year but it may be Massachusetts Law that if you have walkers to school you must have safe passage for them.
Plus would we have to increase our crossing guard hiring (not double dipping janitors)?
I would like to see green buses.
I would love to see "Green Buses," do you have any information? I haven't read anything about the issue, but in the case of Middleboro, the town doesn't own them.
There was a discussion on the nemasket forum about the issue of sidewalks and the town maintaining them.
Last winter, there was a lot of publicity given to a Boston City Councilor who failed to clear his sidewalk and was fined by the City as a consequence.
Why is the Town of Middleboro not only plowing snow from sidewalks, but also cutting vegetation that obscures the sidewalks? Should we have a dialog about the cost? Didn't the town trim the overgrowth at the old St. Luke's? Does it make sense that your tax dollars are used to care for private property issues? Should we be discussing the fact that the town is NOT snow plowing ALL other sidewalks in town? What are other towns doing?
I introduced the subject to point out that it's not even being discussed, but other states/communities are being proactive.
What if someone reviewed the bus routes and told you we could save 20% and offered proposals? We don't even know what we could save because no one is talking about it or examining the issue. Whose job should it be?
I think the school department decides the routes and the town pays for it. If you don't pay the bill, why care?
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