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Transportation Update. Suffolk Public Schools Kevin Alston / Lonnie Reavis. Transportation Update. Number of routes extended and how long due to not being able to cross certain bridges in southern area. Some Bridge weight limits were changed allowing more buses to cross
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Transportation Update Suffolk Public Schools Kevin Alston / Lonnie Reavis
Transportation Update • Number of routes extended and how long due to not being able to cross certain bridges in southern area. • Some Bridge weight limits were changed allowing more buses to cross • Through routing software, routes were developed that did not require added mileage or time • Policy/practice as to bus parking and why. • Policy – cannot park outside the city limits • Ordinances and Homeowner association restrictions prevent some drivers from parking at home. • Practice – park as many buses on school property as possible • Limited parking in congested areas and due to lack of space (ex. Southwestern, Elephant’s Fork, John F. Kennedy, etc.)
Transportation Update • Bus Driver Education • Two mandatory in-services/meetings per year • Refresher course offered each summer to anyone interested • Where the Rubber Meets the Road objectives incorporated into the mandatory meetings • Schools have had drivers complete modules from Safe Schools • Drivers who have had problems have been assigned extra sessions with thetraining department
Transportation Update • Wide buses on narrow city streets • All regular and special education buses are the same width • By state code 15 passenger vans cannot be used to transport students • Mini-vans can be used, but only carry six passengers requiring a new fleet and additional drivers • Students could be required to walk to a major thoroughfare, eliminating the need to go down narrow streets • Presently Suffolk Public Schools allows elementary students to walk up to 1/5 mile and secondary students to walk up to ½ mile to the bus stop • State code allows for elementary students to walk up to 1 mile and secondary students to walk up to 1½ miles to the bus stop
Transportation Update • Cell phones • Cell phone usage by bus drivers was addressed during the first bus driver mandatory in-service/meeting • Drivers were reminded that using a cell phone while operating a school bus is illegal • Drivers were also reminded that the first offense for violating the cell phone policy could lead to a recommendation for termination • In addition to signing that they were present at the in-service/meeting, drivers were also required to sign for a copy of state law related to the use of cell phones by school bus drivers.
Current School Bell Schedule • High Schools 7:40-2:15 (7:20 arrival ) • Middle Schools 7:40-2:15 (7:20 arrival) • Elementary/TW9:00-3:15 (8:30 arrival) • Needed Buses – 168 (142 reg./26 sped) • Concerns: • Difficulty in covering runs for absent drivers • Middle School Students in sports/activities at the HS (arriving late) • Traffic problems at KFHS and KFMS • Special transportation needed for middle school students taking high school courses • Double runs needed at middle and high schools to complete driver contracts
Staggered School Bell Schedules Proposal for 3 to 4 Starting Times • Needed Buses - Possibly 139 (121 regular/18 Special Education)* • Actual bus numbers cannot be determined until the routes are run • Most drivers would have two runs. Some drivers may have three runs dependent on the length of the run. • Benefits: • Eliminating double runs at the High and Middle Schools. • Reduced special “shuttles” from Middle Schools to High Schools for middle school students taking high school courses. • Reduce the driver layover/down time between runs. • Eliminates traffic problems at KFHS and KFMS • Easier to cover runs when drivers call out sick. • Potential savings in salary and benefits.
Sample Elementary Split • “A” Time • Driver, Florence Bowser, Northern Shores, Elephant’s Fork, Mack Benn, Kilby Shores • “B” Time • Nansemond Parkway, Creekside, Hillpoint, Oakland, Booker T. Washington, Southwestern
“Bus Boss” System New bus routing program. • Allows multiple users to view, modify and retrieve information. • Allows multiple scenarios to be run without affecting current routes. • Will interact with eSchool Plus and GPS units installed on school buses.
“Bus Boss” System • Handles Special Needs routing and multiple transfers (different am/pm pick up and drop off points). • iBusBoss- web access that can be used so parents can receive transportation information concerning their child’s route.
Everyday Solutions GPS • A GPS module is installed on every school bus. • “Live” and historical tracking of buses. • Once complete, BusBoss will communicate with GPS and information will be available for administrators, parents and transportation staff to see where buses are and anticipated arrival times to bus stops.
