Changes Coming to School Bus Routes

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- There are fewer bus stops, and more children will be walking to school as Duval County is implementing some major changes in bus transportation.

On Tuesday, the district's call center began fielding questions from parents about bus routes and bus stops.

This year the major change is the elimination of bus stops. Now transportation is provided only if a child lives more than two miles from their school. In the past, the district's cutoff was 1.5 miles.

Kelle Charles, who lives in Sutton Lakes, is the parent of two children who no longer will have a bus stop at the entrance of the subdivision.

The district says the elimination of some bus stops this year will impact about 7,000 children. Transportation changes are expected to save taxpayers $5 million a year.

"My main concern with transportation is the safety of the kids," said Charles. She doesn't relish the prospect of her children walking along busy Atlantic Boulevard to a shopping center to catch a magnet bus.

This concerned mother is considering her options, including taking a late lunch break so she can pick up her children so they don't face a long walk home.

District spokesperson Jill Johnson says the changes will require parents to make some adjustments.

Johnson added if hazardous conditions are present-- like the absence of sidewalks-- the district can add bus stops.

The district's bus hotline is up and running with staff fielding calls from 7 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. during the week until September 4.

The bus transportation hotline number is 381-RIDE.

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